Arena And Barry Hoping For A Place To Call Home

Arena, a beautiful fawn-colored dog, is hoping someone will look beyond the kennel and see the loving companion she could become. Just over a year old and weighing 57 pounds, Arena is Humane Society ID 721637. Although her background is largely a mystery, her striking appearance and gentle personality have already made her a favorite among shelter staff and volunteers.

With a coat described as soft as velvet, Arena may be part Shepherd and possibly mixed with Labrador. Her exact breed, however, is unknown. What is more certain is the impression she has made on the people caring for her.

Arena is described as friendly, calm and social. She takes treats gently and enjoys playing with toys, making playtime one of her favorite activities. Staff members say she has a mellow personality, although they caution that some of that calmness could be a result of the kennel environment.

For Arena, patience may be the key to helping her feel comfortable in a new home. She does best when people take things slowly, and a quieter household could be the best match for her. Giving her time to settle in and learn that she is safe may allow more of her personality to emerge.

There is one important consideration for prospective adopters: Arena is heartworm positive. While the diagnosis may sound frightening, heartworm disease is not contagious to people or other pets. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito and is a treatable condition.

Because Arena requires treatment, she must be adopted locally. That arrangement allows the veterinary staff at the Humane Society of Broward County to provide her heartworm treatment at no additional cost to her adopter.

Everyone who knows Arena is hoping her stay at the shelter will be a short one. After all, this young dog has plenty of life ahead of her and appears ready to become a devoted member of a family willing to give her the time and patience she needs.

Then there is Barry, a handsome feline who has found himself competing for attention with the many kittens currently looking for homes.

Barry, Humane Society ID 723615, is hoping potential adopters will remember that adult cats have plenty to offer. His personality makes it clear that he is not simply looking for a place to live — he is looking for a person or family to share life with.

Barry lost his previous home after his human welcomed a baby and found that having a new child along with multiple pets was more than the household could manage. Through no fault of his own, Barry ended up at the shelter, where he is now waiting for another chance.

And Barry appears to have plenty to say about it.

Described as friendly and talkative, he is the kind of cat who may provide a running commentary throughout the day. If you enjoy a feline who likes to “tell stories,” Barry could be your ideal companion. He is also fond of playing with toys, although his interest can sometimes fade once the novelty wears off.

Barry is particularly well suited to someone looking for a couch companion. He would likely be happy to settle in beside his favorite person for an evening of relaxing. Prospective adopters should also be prepared for the possibility that Barry may decide the bed is an excellent place to sleep — and that sharing the covers is simply part of the deal.

Another important detail about Barry is that he does not enjoy being left alone. His ideal home may therefore be one where he can spend plenty of time with his people and receive the companionship he craves.

He also gets along with well-mannered dogs, potentially making him a good choice for a household with a canine companion.

Arena and Barry are very different animals, but they have one thing in common: both are waiting for someone to recognize what wonderful companions they could be.

Arena needs a patient family willing to give her time to adjust, while Barry is looking for a home where he can be part of the action and share plenty of conversation, playtime and cuddles. Both deserve the opportunity to leave the shelter behind and become cherished family members.

Anyone interested in meeting Arena or Barry should first complete the pre-adoption application through the Humane Society of Broward County at [www.humanebroward.com](http://www.humanebroward.com). Once the application is completed, prospective adopters can visit the shelter.

The adoption kennels open daily at 11:00 a.m. The Humane Society of Broward County is located at 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For additional information, call: (954) 989-3977.

For Arena and Barry, the next chapter of their lives could begin with a simple visit from someone who believes every shelter pet deserves a second chance. Perhaps one of these two special animals is waiting to become your newest family member.

To meet a pet at the Humane Society of Broward County, complete the pre-adoption application at: www.humanebroward.com and then stop by.