He’s 180 pounds of pure love.
If you happen to wander through the kennels at Ventura County Animal Services, it’s hard not to notice Scooby Doo. The large brown pup with a black muzzle towers over the other dogs, and when he stands on his hind legs, he’s even taller than most of the staff.
Scooby Doo came to the shelter about a week ago after being found as a stray in Camarillo, California. The family who took him in tried to find his owner but had no luck. While staying with them, he got along well with their children and other dogs but was eventually surrendered to the shelter for care.
At around 180 pounds, Scooby Doo is one of the biggest dogs to ever pass through the shelter’s doors. He’s also one of the friendliest.
“When he first arrived, the staff who met him said he was seeking affection,” said Jules Hooper, marketing specialist for Ventura County Animal Services. “He was leaning on the staff member, licking their hand — really friendly right from the start, and he let us give him his vaccines and a quick exam without any problems.”
The resemblance to the cartoon character was so striking that the kennel supervisor immediately requested the name. Plus, he’s loyal, loves treats (or Scooby Snacks), and is generally a very sociable dog.
“We could definitely picture him with a gang like the Mystery Incorporated crew,” Hooper added. “It just felt right — he reminded us of Scooby Doo.”
Scooby Doo is about 2 years old but still has a lot of puppy energy. He enjoys playing with toys, chasing balls, and going for walks. Hooper believes he would thrive with an active family who will give him plenty of attention, including training and guidance on manners.
“He is strong and tends to pull a lot on the leash,” Hooper explained. “Anyone walking him should be ready for that. He loves people, so sometimes he pulls toward them for some pets and love.”
Scooby Doo is meeting potential adopters this week and is hoping to find a loving family for plenty of adventures (and maybe even crime-solving). If you’re in the Ventura area and interested in meeting him, you can learn more about the adoption process here.
However, Scooby Doo is just one of many large dogs at the shelter waiting patiently for a home.
“Smaller dogs get adopted quickly, but we’ve got around 50 dogs who’ve been here for over 100 days,” Hooper said. For those considering fostering or adopting a big dog, there are plenty of good boys and girls ready to meet you.