This dog is a fun-loving crowd favorite at the shelter. But he really needs a forever home

While all the animals in the shelter are special, there's one dog volunteers can't wait to meet and play with when they arrive. His name is Kennedy.

Kennedy is just over a year old and his energy is infectious — proving that even 150 days in the shelter can't dampen his spirit for life. While he's made plenty of friends with the staff and volunteers at Palm Beach County's shelter, Kennedy is ready for his forever home.

Welcome to The Palm Beach Post's Pet of the Week, a series where we feature animals up for adoption in Palm Beach County in hopes of finding them a loving home. Since we began this series in February, 10 of our pets of the week have been adopted!

This week's pet is Kennedy, a fun-loving and high-energy dog who's ready for a big backyard of his own and a family devoted to giving him the best life possible. Kennedy has been in the shelter since Feb. 9.

Kennedy, a one-year-old male dog, is The Palm Beach Post's adoptable Pet of the Week. The photo of Kennedy was provided by Tails and Paws Photography.
Kennedy, a one-year-old male dog, is The Palm Beach Post's adoptable Pet of the Week. The photo of Kennedy was provided by Tails and Paws Photography.

Here's what to know about our pet of the week, including what Animal Care and Control staffers say about his personality:

Dog available for adoption: Kennedy

Kennedy, a one-year-old male dog, is The Palm Beach Post's adoptable Pet of the Week.
Kennedy, a one-year-old male dog, is The Palm Beach Post's adoptable Pet of the Week.
  • Age: 1 year, 5 months old

  • Weight: 57 pounds

  • Sex: Male, neutered

  • Animal ID: A2160984

More information: Kennedy is an energetic boy who has lots of love to give! He is good with other dogs and is looking for a family that can give him lots of attention and playtime. Kennedy is a volunteer favorite that loves treats and getting lots of pets!

For more information on Kennedy, check out his online profile on the Animal Care and Control website.

How to adopt a cat or dog in Palm Beach County

You can start the adoption process in person or online.

To begin in person: Visit Animal Care and Control during normal business hours at 7100 Belvedere Road near West Palm Beach to fill out an application and meet the pets there.

To begin the process online:

  1. Use the pet's animal ID number (like the one listed above) to search them on Animal Care and Control's online database.

  2. Click on the "Ready to Adopt? Click Here" link to the right of the pet's photo.

  3. Fill out the two-page downloadable adoption application? and email it to Animal Care and Control at [email protected].

  4. Once Animal Care and Control has reviewed your application, a team member will contact you to confirm that you have been approved to adopt. Submittal of an online application does not guarantee the pet's availability.

Adoption fees: Adoption fees are waived for the entire month of June! Adoption fees are usually $60 for adult dogs, $75 for puppies and $50 for cats and kittens. Palm Beach County residents who are 55 years and older are offered a discounted adoption fee.

Note: All animals adopted from Animal Care and Control will be spayed if female or neutered if male. They will be up-to-date on vaccinations, protected against fleas and ticks and microchipped.

About fostering: If you are not ready for a long-term commitment, you may want to consider offering foster care to a pet. This is a great way to get the feel for becoming a pet parent, and it allows you and your new prospective pet to get to know each other. You can find more information about fostering on Animal Care and Control's website.

Summer foster opportunity for students: 150 community service hours

This summer, Palm Beach County Animal Control is sponsoring a foster program where middle and high school students can earn 150 community service hours if they foster an adult dog for 30 nights.

The shelter provides all the supplies needed to foster an animal, and students can earn 150 additional community service hours if they help find a permanent home for their foster dog.

Information about a summer 2024 foster program offered by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control. Students can earn 150 community service hours for fostering an adult dog for one month.
Information about a summer 2024 foster program offered by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control. Students can earn 150 community service hours for fostering an adult dog for one month.

For more information, students can check out Animal Care and Control's webpage on its Foster2PetPals program.

Learn more about our recent pets of the week and those who have been adopted

The Palm Beach Post began the Pet of the Week series in February 2024. Here are other recent pets of the week who are available for adoption:

Recent pet of the week: A kitten adopted 12 years ago is back because his owner died. Meet our Pet of the Week

Recent pet of the week: Dog was found wandering alone at water treatment site. Now he's our Pet of the Week!

Recent pet of the week: He was found alone at a West Palm Beach fire station. Now this dog needs a loving home

We'd like to track our impact throughout the year, and potentially feature adoptive families in a "where are they now?"-style story. If you've adopted a pet featured in this series, tell us about it here: https://forms.gle/nN9w7cmCQRJmVcus6.

We won't use any of your information without contacting you first.

Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. She has a dog, Cooper, who is 8 years old, and a kitten, Benny, who turned 1 year old this month! You can reach Katherine at [email protected]. Help support our work: Subscribe today!

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dog for adoption in Palm Beach County: Kennedy is pet of the week