LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Update: Taz has been adopted as of March 28, 2024.
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At Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS), hundreds of adoptable dogs and cats are desperately waiting for their forever family. The shelter is overcrowded, and when a dog stays for too long, tough decisions have to be made. Still, staff believe there is a family for every animal, they just need to find them.
One of the dogs most at risk right now is a 3-year-old goofball with infectious energy, who just makes you smile. He's as goofy as he is sweet. This week’s WHAS11 Shelter Star is a German-Sheppard mix named Taz.
"He literally is just a ball of fun," Chelsea Yonders said.
Yonders has been a volunteer at LMAS for almost a decade. She's seen what happens when dogs stay in the shelter too long. She said they lose their personality and lose hope. Incredibly, despite almost four months in the shelter, Taz hasn't lost his smile.
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"He's been here since the middle of December and his time here hasn't made him change. He's still a happy go lucky dog. He loves to play with toys. He's great with other dogs on leash,” Yonder said.
Taz is considered a play group superstar. He does great with other dogs. He knows basic commands, but still gets excited and could use a bit more training. Taz is a big boy and doesn't always know his size so his ideal home might be one without young kids.
As for his energy level, it’s 10 out of 10. He loves to run and play. But don't be fooled, he has a sweet side too.
"He's not always wild — he can be calm and chill and walk great on a leash and be a lazy lap dog but it’s hard to see that because he's cooped up 24 hours a day, almost every single day,” Yonders described.
That's the heartbreaking reality for dogs in the shelter, one these volunteers are forced to cope with day after day.
"I get extremely emotional when it comes to the dogs getting adopted," Yonders said.
She knows the perfect family for Taz is out there, we just have to find them.
If you think this loveable goofball could fit in your home, give him a shot. It could save his life.
Taz is currently at Animal House, the adoption center for LMAS on Newburg Road. He would be so thrilled to meet you!
Animal House is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Shay McAlister will be introducing you to a new dog every week in our WHAS Shelter Stars series. You can watch on WHAS11 at 4 p.m. every Thursday.
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