LUNA ESTRELLA - Maltese and Poodle Dog for Adoption in Santa Cruz, California

Meet Luna Estrella, the 1 year old maltese mix. Luna Estrella came into the Shelter after her previous guardian was moving and unable to take her dogs with her. Luna Estrella arrived to the Shelter with her “brother” Shadow. They could be adopted together but also could be adopted separately. In her previous home, Luna Estrella lived with a 6 year old child and did well. She does not have experience living with felines. She used pee pads in her previous home for house training. Adopters should anticipate some time and patience transitioning from pee-pads to pottying outdoors. Luna is a bit timid but with time and patience, she warms up. Adopters should prioritize decompression and acclimation as Luna gets to know her new family and environment. As she gets comfortable and learns the ropes of her new home, adopters can slowly expand her social circle and routines. Luna Estrella is available for pre-adoption. Come meet her, fall in love and take her home after her spay surgery. 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.

The Maltese is a small toy breed known for its glamorous white coat, which is long, silky, and virtually hypoallergenic. They are gentle, affectionate companion dogs that thrive on human companionship and make wonderful family pets. Maltese dogs are playful, intelligent, and alert, with a confident demeanor despite their small size. They require regular grooming to maintain their luxurious coat and are suitable for apartment living due to their size and adaptability.

The Poodle is a highly intelligent and elegant dog breed known for its distinctive curly coat and graceful appearance. Originally bred as water retrievers, Poodles come in three size varieties Standard, Miniature, and Toy each with their unique characteristics but sharing the breed's alert and friendly nature. Renowned for their hypoallergenic qualities and keen sense of humor, Poodles excel in various dog sports and activities, making them versatile companions suitable for different lifestyles and living situations.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is a non-profit Joint Powers Authority (EIN 90-0039494) serving the County of Santa Cruz,...