Hallie, a one-year-old blue heeler mix, has been named Dog of the Week by the Muskingum County Sheriff’s K-9 Adoption Center in Zanesville, Ohio, as the shelter highlights animals available for adoption ahead of a community holiday event this Sunday.

The adoption center is promoting Hallie in the run-up to its Gingerbread Contest and Family Fun event, scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Veterans Building at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds. The event, presented free to the community, is intended for families and children; organizers ask that household pets be left at home.

Volunteers said Hallie arrived at the center as a young adult and has quickly won attention for her outgoing personality. “She would be a great dog for someone that maybe just wants to go for walks,” said Doug McQuaid, a volunteer with the K-9 Adoption Center. “We always try to remind you that she is still a pup. So with that being said, just your basic commands and learning would be the priority to when you first get her.”

Hallie appeared festive for a recent television spotlight, wearing a holiday accessory and demonstrating the playful energy staff describe. The center notes she loves treats and a good soak in the tub while still carrying plenty of puppy vigor; volunteers say she responds well to attention and the structure that consistent basic training provides.

Robin McQuaid, another volunteer, outlined the family-focused nature of the Sunday event: “This event is for kids and their families so we have to leave our pups home for this event. This is free to the community. There’s going to be a hot chocolate bar, some games, icing cookies, face painting, you can snap a picture with Santa. There’s going to be a lot of different things available for the kiddos. There’s also a silent auction.”

The Muskingum County Sheriff’s K-9 Adoption Center is using the event to raise donations and awareness. The center has frequently relied on community gatherings to connect potential adopters with dogs in need and to raise funds that support care, vaccinations and behavior work for shelter animals.

Volunteers said they also try to prepare prospective adopters for the transition to a new home. Families preparing to adopt a dog from a shelter should take several key steps before bringing their new pet home: establish a dedicated safe space for the dog to decompress, secure electrical cords and hazardous items, remove toxic plants and gather essential supplies such as food, a leash and a crate.

The center highlights breed-specific considerations for dogs like Hallie. “Blue Heelers are highly intelligent, energetic dogs with strong herding instincts that require substantial physical and mental stimulation to prevent destructive behaviors,” said a center spokesperson, summarizing common traits of Blue Heeler mixes. Volunteers stressed that active households or adopters who can provide regular exercise and enrichment tend to have the most success with similar dogs. Blue Heeler breed insights provide further understanding of their needs.

Prospective adopters who want to meet Hallie or ask about other available dogs can contact the adoption program through the Muskingum County K-9 Adoption Center’s usual channels. The center encourages those interested to attend the family event to learn more about the adoption process, support the silent auction and meet volunteers who work with the animals.

The Gingerbread Contest and Family Fun event runs for five hours on Sunday and is presented as a free community activity. The center continues to accept donations to support its work and says community participation is a key element of increasing adoptions and improving outcomes for dogs in need.

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Original reporting: view the original article.