The status of PORTIA* was

last posted on 01/29/26 by

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

Female Dog, Belgian Shepherd Malinois

Belgian Shepherd Malinois / Mixed (Medium Coat)

Description:

Meet Portia, the Belgian Malinois Siberian husky mix. Portia arrived to the Shelter as a stray so we don’t know much about her life before the Shelter. After a day of decompression, she was relaxed and ready to interact with staff and volunteers. Staff have reported that she enjoys sniffing around the exercise yards and then checks in with her person and often getting excited. During her dog to dog interactions, Portia has had a spectrum of reactions – interested in sniffing and then playing with some while taking a bit more time to warm up to others. We suspect that Portia had some limited dog socialization experience prior to arrival at the Shelter so adopters should be patient with her as she settles into the home. High traffic areas like dog parks and beaches may not be good for Portia from the get go. She may enjoy a canine companion in the home provided they meet at the Shelter prior to adoption. Portia has enjoyed digging at the Shelter and finds it enriching. Adopters may want to consider a dig pit (like a big, deep sand box for dogs) to give her safe, appropriate outlet for that behavior. We do not have any history of Portia with cats or children.Portia's adoption fee has been sponsored by a generous donor!The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation is now offering “Pawsitivity Bucks” with every dog adoption. This $200 training voucher is a way for newly adopted canines and their guardians to connect with local positive reinforcement based behavior consultants and get their relationship started off on the right paw!Please note: Our Santa Cruz location’s Shelter hours are 11-6pm, 7 days a week! Although clients can walk through and see any animals in their kennels during open hours, we end “meet and greets” (aka meeting an animal out of the kennel) at 4:30pm every day. If you’d like to meet an animal out of the kennel, please arrive before 4:00pm to allow for time to discuss individual animals and meet them.