After tornadoes struck Spalding County, Georgia, in January of 2023, the ASPCA Disaster Response team provided support to Spalding County Animal Control by building a temporary shelter for unowned pets and other animals displaced by the storms. We also provided daily care for those pets and assisted in reunification efforts. 

Located just south of Atlanta, Spalding County shelters freed up space by relocating unowned animals and in February, we transported 27 dogs to our Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Ohio, which also serves as an animal recovery facility for animals rescued from disasters and hoarding cases. 

One of those dogs was Slinky, a young mixed breed.

Displacement Behavior

A handsome dog who is normally friendly and fun-loving, Slinky exhibited extreme stress in his kennel. 

“He was very aroused by all the noise in that environment,” says Savannah Howard, a Behavior Specialist. “He would frantically dig at his water bucket, cutting himself on it and chewing at it. He even broke one of his teeth and sliced his paw.”

Slinky exhibited displacement, out-of-context behaviors that animals display when they're conflicted. Just as a person might engage in self-directed behavior like nail biting or hair twisting, displacement behaviors in dogs are signs of stress or frustration. 

“Displacement is a response to anxiety,” says Savannah. “Slinky had a lot of issues and didn’t know how to act on them. Every day, at precisely 2 p.m., he would bark, vocalize and attack his water bucket.”

Working Through It

Behavior staff tried to identify the triggers causing Slinky’s outbursts and made sure he got lots of attention and exercise. They even built him a racetrack, a circular pen where he could chase and push balls. He was also placed on anti-anxiety medication. 

“Slinky was a dog who made us get creative in many ways,” says Jessi Henry, Senior Manager of Animal Behavior at the CRC. “We adjusted his kennel’s size and shape and came up with ways to keep his brain busy. He’s a very special dog; you can’t be around him and not fall in love.” 

“These tactics helped some, but not enough,” Savannah says. “All the while, we were careful not to punish him or reinforce any negative behavior.” 

Savannah became Slinky’s fourth foster caregiver, after three others including Rachel Helmick, Foster and Volunteer Coordinator at the CRC. 

“Once home, I didn’t know if he would continue to have these ‘Slinky hours,’ but as it turns out, he was fine,” she says. “I haven’t seen the displacement behaviors that we saw in the shelter once he transitioned into my home.” 

A New Hurdle

While in foster care, Slinky tested positive for heartworm disease. Because of his previous self-harming behavior, he’d need to undergo treatment while in Savannah’s home, away from the shelter environment.

“Slinky’s treatment required a series of injections and restricted exercise, and he was very sick,” Savannah says. “But he stayed calm.”

The drugs used to treat heartworms contain an arsenic-based compound that kills the adult worms. Dogs must reduce their movement during the course of treatment so their bodies can absorb the dead worms without any complications.

Settling In

While recovering in Savannah’s home, Slinky acclimated well and built a positive association with his crate.

“This helped me keep him safe when I’m not home,” Savannah says. “He’s learned to sit, offer eye contact and has wonderful leash skills. And he’s taught me so much about kennel stress and behavior in general.” 

Slinky enjoyed playing with Savannah’s other dog, Nala, a 12-year-old Boxer mix, and he gets along with Pablo, her cat.

“He’s very respectful of Nala and follows her leads,” says Savannah, who intended to foster Slinky through his treatment until he was adopted. “Because he’s nervous in new environments and anxious, he looks to Nala a lot for guidance.” 

Love of Water

While at the CRC, staff noticed Slinky enjoyed playing in pools of water.

“He’s like a mermaid in a dog's body,” says Jessi. 

Savannah enrolled Slinky in a weekly water class, putting him in a life jacket and swimming with him until he got more confident.

“Now he jumps in and swims to the other end of the pool,” she says. “He no longer needs a life jacket. I’ll throw a ball and he’ll bring it back. Next on our list is dock diving.”

After two other people, including Savannah’s cousin, applied to adopt Slinky, Savannah decided she wanted him for herself and adopted him in December. 

“I just couldn’t let him go,” she says.

“Slinky and Savannah have a special bond,” Jessi says. “Everyone was hopeful he would become part of her family.”