Pet of the Week puts a spotlight on a furry friend who is available for adoption at the Lawrence Humane Society at the time of the article’s publication. According to ASPCA, dog adoption numbers are down nationwide, which adds additional strain on shelters that are already struggling to accommodate high volumes of animals. Lawrence Humane is no exception.
Through Pet of the Week, readers can learn about a pup before they visit the shelter. The featured furball is selected by shelter staff members, who provide all details on the animal’s personality and history.
Even after 161 days in the shelter with little reprieve, Bellamy goes through life with a huge, happy grin.
Bellamy is a 3-year-old pit bull mix who arrived at the shelter in September. Since then, she hasn’t even had a break in foster care, relying largely on Mass Street Mutt outings to get her beyond the walls of Lawrence Humane.
Many dogs would understandably struggle with being in a kennel that long, but humane society staff say that Bellamy is cut of resilient cloth. However, they don’t want to get to a point where her wellness is on the decline — they’re crossing their fingers for an adopter, but would be equally happy if a foster parent stepped up.
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Bellamy has been officially endorsed by a member of a local running club, who took her on a Mass Street Mutts outing.
“I ran with Bellamy today for about 40 minutes and she’s a GREAT running dog!” they wrote. “She’s a sweet girl and minded very well, handled seeing squirrels well, and was very good with cars around. If you want a dog to run with, Bellamy is your girl!”
But Bellamy is a versatile pup — she can pump those muscles for miles, but is just as happy to take a calm stroll around the block or play in the backyard. Elina Alterman, chief development officer at LHS, said that although she’s a young dog who needs exercise, that shouldn’t scare less active folks away.
“What we’ve seen from all of her (Bellamy’s) various outings is that she really is adaptable,” Alterman wrote. “What she enjoys is humans — she wants to be with humans and have that connection, regardless of what the activity is.”
On other Mass Street Mutts outings, she’s taken car naps, enjoyed Lucky Dog stops, watched TV on the couch and picnicked in the park while indulging in calm birdwatching.
Bellamy is potty trained and treat-motivated, which is a boon for training. She takes treats gently, walks well on a leash without reacting to other animals, and loves playing with toys, especially when she gets the zoomies.
This speckled pup cannot live with any female dogs. She would need to meet any potential male canine siblings to ensure they enjoy a similar type of vocal and active play. She’s done well with some children on outings, but the shelter doesn’t know how she handles cats.
Bellamy is spayed, vaccinated and microchipped. Her adoption fee is $150.
Pet of the Week stars and where they are now
The last featured pet, Sparky, found his valentine love in a forever home after months of no adoption interest.
These furry friends could use a foster or forever home:
• Dudley is built for the out-of-doors.
• Jasper is a pup who’s ready to take a roadtrip or a nap.
• “Some pig” Maylene has recovered from her cold and is back at the shelter.
These pups are living it up in foster care and hope to find their forever families soon:
• Unflappable brindle shepherd mix Cardi B. is not the drama.
• Flycatcher is a shepherd mix who lives up to his name.
• Ruby and her speckled tongue have gained confidence with a behavioral specialist.
• Kiba is a gentle giant thriving in foster care while waiting for an adopter.
Those interested in adopting Bellamy can email the Lawrence Humane Society’s adoptions team at adoptions@lawrencehumane.org or call 785-843-6835.
People can also go straight to the shelter at 1805 E. 19th St. to meet her. The Humane Society is open to potential adopters from noon to 6 p.m. every day. People can also sign up for the Mass Street Mutts program to get to a know a dog before adopting.
Potential foster parents can email the Foster Coordinator at foster@lawrencehumane.org and fill out an application here. The Lawrence Humane Society provides foster parents with all necessary supplies and food, and they cover bills for medical care, behavioral support and more.
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at wulfe@lawrencekstimes.com.
Read their complete bio here. Read their work for the Times here.
