During “Clear the Shelters,” an August nationwide pet adoption campaign, Michael M. glimpsed a dog on television who was available for adoption at the ASPCA in New York City.

“It was a large dog, and my heart was set on him,” recalls Michael, a Long Island native who grew up with Bull Mastiffs. “But by the time I called, they said he had already been adopted.”

Mike asked Stacey Rozell, an Admissions and Placement Specialist at the ASPCA Adoption Center, what other medium-to-large-size dogs were available. He and his 19-year-old son, Miles, were ready for a pet.

Stacey emailed Michael photos of Philip, a black and white, 2-year-old pit bull mix who had been at the ASPCA for a week. When Michael visited the ASPCA two days later, on August 9, he recognized Philip immediately and adopted him that day.

An Erratic Start

In June of this year, Philip was found tied to a fence at a playground in Central Park. His finder watched and waited for some time before realizing no one was going to claim him. She noted he looked underweight and took him home. But with pets of her own, Philip’s finder soon relinquished him to Animal Care Centers of NYC’s (ACC) Manhattan shelter.

ACC held Philip for a week in case someone came forward to claim him and while staff checked other shelters, lost pet websites and social media sites. No matches were found.

ACC representatives noted that Philip was friendly, approachable and listened to commands. He was gentle, eager for attention and easy to leash. He also enjoyed playing in an outdoor pool.

Philip with the ASPCA’s Arriel Salguero.

At the end of June, a trial adoption took place, but three weeks later, Philip was returned. He suffered from skin allergies, and his adopter was not prepared to take on his medical treatment, adding that he was “too big.”

Philip was placed in ACC’s “BoroughBreak” program, which pairs shelter dogs with members of the community for field trips lasting from one hour to all day.

“He was very chill in the car and enjoyed looking out the window,” says Philip’s first BoroughBreak buddy, who took him for a jaunt outside the city. “He walked nicely and didn't pull on the leash. He was well-behaved at lunch and didn't beg for food. Afterward, he was tired, and he relaxed in the car. He was perfect.”

Another BoroughBreak buddy, who took Philip to a park for a picnic, reported that Philip loved taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the city.

“He was excited and playful but stayed calm, given all the dogs and people nearby,” writes the second buddy. “He showed off his ability to sit on command and loved belly rubs. Strangers complimented him on how handsome and happy he looked. After the park, he enjoyed a chew stick and cuddling with us in our apartment while we watched the Paris Olympics.”

“A Great Dog”

Joshua Abolt, an ASPCA Behavior Specialist, is part of a team that routinely visits ACC to select dogs to bring to the ASPCA for adoption. As a national organization, the ASPCA’s hands-on work and collaboration with shelters in local communities directly impact hundreds of thousands of animals every year. This includes focusing on the animals in New York City, where the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City helps ease capacity at ACC.

Philip is one of 420 animals the ASPCA transported so far this year from ACC shelters to our Adoption Center in Manhattan. In 2023, the ASPCA brought 602 dogs, cats and kittens from ACC to our Adoption Center. ACC is the city’s only open-admission shelter – never turning any animal away – and relies on support from other animal welfare agencies.

“Philip has a great personality,” says Joshua. “He demonstrated an eagerness to be with people from the time we first met at ACC and regularly attended playgroups with other dogs.

“Phillip would lean in and not only accept all petting but would lean in for more,” he adds. “He’s a fast learner and a great dog, and we were fortunate to find him through ACC.”

New Name, New Life

After his adoption, Philip was re-named Obi, a reference to the Star Wars character Obi-Wan Kenobi, although Michael says Obi reminds him of Petey, the dog from “The Little Rascals” comedies of old.

Michael, who lives on the Lower East Side, says Obi still has puppy energy, but after walks, “he’s a mush.”

“He’s a very smart pup,” he adds.

Obi recently completed his medication for allergies, which are well-controlled. He sometimes accompanies Michael to work in Midtown, where Michael has his own business.

Michael looks forward to taking Obi to Peekskill, New York, just up the Hudson River, where he used to go on outings with his previous dogs.

“I’m very happy with Obi,” says Michael. “Adopting him turned out great for us.”