Meet Steve.

Some of you may already know him – quick glimpses caught while he was running at large for nearly a year. For 10 months, Steve roamed a local neighborhood. He adored other dogs, often sneaking into yards to play, but he never let people get close. After months of unsuccessful attempts, our partner organization, Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control, was finally able to bring him to safety.

Now comes the hard part: helping Steve learn to trust humans.
Right now, Steve is completely shut down. He hides under his bed or makes himself as small as possible in the corner of his kennel whenever someone approaches.

This is where the work truly begins. Our team has curated a structured socialization plan for Steve. It begins with associates and volunteers sitting quietly outside his kennel, allowing him to get used to the mere presence of humans. We’ll move on to the next step once Steve lets us know he’s ready -always at his pace.

Cases like Steve’s are exactly why we do what we do. Every animal deserves compassion, patience, and the chance to live without fear. His journey will take time, and we are committed to walking it with him.

We know many in his neighborhood are invested in Steve’s story, and we’ll be sharing updates along the way. Because in the end, it starts with you; your compassion, your care, and your belief that animals like Steve deserve a second chance.