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.
At 11 months old, Falkner has struck out to the not-quite-big city of Lawrence in search of a forever home — preferably one with another playful pup.
Despite his fox-wolf hybrid look, Falkner is a shepherd mix. He came from Eudora and arrived at the humane society in January.
LHS has contracts with some nearby cities and towns that don’t have an animal shelter. If somebody in those communities catches a stray, the animal will be held in their home community for a while to give their owners a chance to reconnect without traveling far. Depending on the city, pets will wait in stray holds at locales like the local police department or a veterinarian clinic.
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“But since those communities don’t have an animal shelter, if they’re not reclaimed during their stray hold, those cities transfer the animals to us and pay us a fixed per-animal contract fee to provide shelter and care,” said Elina Alterman, chief development officer of LHS.
That’s how Falkner made his big move from Eudora.
He now gets to revel in the quirks of his new home on Mass Street Mutt outings, as volunteers have taken him for treats at Lucky Dog, sunbathing on downtown Lawrence patios, squirrel-watching in the park, strolls on KU campus and, of course, car rides. His adventure pals have called him loving, playful, spunky, social and sleepy.
Falkner went from being selective about his fellow canines to becoming “dog social” at the shelter, thanks to their behavior management team. He joins doggy playgroups twice a day where he loves a game of chase.
Falkner can live with other dogs, especially if they share play styles. Potential adopters should bring any other dogs in the home so staff can facilitate an introduction.
The shelter doesn’t know how Falkner handles cats or children, but he has adored oodles of attention while visiting a KU sorority house and a group of Girl Scouts.
Falkner is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. His adoption fee is $150.
Pet of the Week stars and where they are now
Shelter staff members are over the moon that “some pig” Maylene was adopted.
These furry friends could use a foster or forever home:
• Squishy-faced Azalea blooms when she’s not cooped up in a kennel.
• Bellamy has an abiding love for humans and a boopable nose.
These pups are living it up in foster care and hope to find their forever families soon:
• Jasper is a pup who’s ready to take a roadtrip or a nap.
• 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 Falkner 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 him. 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.
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