Humane Society of El Paso’s longest resident adopted
Update (February 18, 2025): The Humane Society of El Paso posted on its Instagram page that Poppy has been adopted. The post includes a photo of Poppy with her new family.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Two pups are searching for a loving family before they hit their one-year mark at the Humane Society of El Paso.
Ed is a surrendered shar pei mix, who's almost two years old. He's also a friendly pup who's been waiting for a family for 208 days.
"He was used to a family, so he's had to adjust," said Robert Shamy, executive director of the Humane Society of El Paso. "He makes somebody a perfect companion. He just loves being pet, he loves people. You get him home, and he loves to cuddle on the couch. That's his thing."
Like the rest of their animals, Ed has gotten a medical exam, his vaccines and is microchipped and neutered.
Another bonus? No adoption fee.
"Ed and Poppy, they've had their adoption fees already sponsored. So they don't basically cost anything," explained Shamy. "Because of their time here, someone else has already paid for their the adoption. So someone can just come in."
Poppy is their longest resident, about to hit one year at the shelter on March 4. She's a female boxer mix, and a playful and energetic pup who the Humane Society of El Paso says "prefers cuddle time over everything else in life."
She's currently at a foster home for a few weeks.
ABC-7 had a chance to meet Poppy, who knows a few tricks and always has a sweet smile on her face stretching from ear to ear.
Ed ranks as second longest resident with 9 months in.
"Maybe someone who couldn't actually take them or somebody who they just said it's not possible for them to have them, but they want him to go to a home, and they don't want money to be a reason why they can't," added the director.
The the Humane Society of El Paso is a no-kill shelter, meaning they hold animals until they're adopted -- no matter how long it takes.
Shamy explains why it might be taking so long for these two dogs to get adopted.
"Well, one of the things that that we tell people when they come, is you walk up to their kennel and they jump and they'll bark, and it kind of turns people off," he said.
The director said the dogs go through kennel psychosis, meaning that they don't like being in the kennel.
Ed used to have a home and now gets a bit reactive when he gets put back inside, so they take the dogs out and let them run so people get a better impression.
"So we tell people, don't judge them by what you see," said Shamy. "And that way you get to really see the personality of the dog that you're looking at."
While Ed remains onsite, Poppy is currently staying at a foster home for a few days to take a break from the shelter.
"You can imagine what it would be like going from a home to being in a in a in a kennel. Our kennels are good size, but it's still not home," said Shamy. "It's not a home."
Anyone who is interested in adopting Ed can visit The Humane Society of El Paso, open seven days a week.
