If you walk through the kennels at Ventura County Animal Services, one dog stands out — quite literally. Meet Scooby Doo, a towering, goofy, lovable Great Dane who looks like he walked straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon.
Scooby Doo arrived at the California shelter about a week ago after being found wandering the streets of Camarillo. A kind family took him in and searched for his owners, but no one came forward. Though he got along great with their young kids and other dogs, the family ultimately brought him to the shelter so he could get the care and attention he needed.
At roughly 180 pounds, Scooby Doo is one of the largest dogs Ventura County Animal Services has ever housed — and also one of the sweetest.
“The first staff member who met him said he was all about affection,” said Jules Hooper, the shelter’s marketing specialist. “He leaned right into them, licked their hands, and let us give him all his vaccines and an exam without a single complaint.”
His resemblance to the famous cartoon character was impossible to miss — tall, lanky, and full of charm. The kennel supervisor immediately requested to name him Scooby Doo, and the name stuck. Like his animated namesake, this Scooby adores snacks, loves being part of a pack, and has the heart of a giant puppy.
“We could easily picture him tagging along with the Mystery Inc. gang,” Hooper joked. “He’s got that same lovable, loyal energy.”
Scooby Doo is about 2 years old, full of playfulness and still figuring out the world. He loves chasing toys, going for walks, and greeting every human with enthusiastic tail wags. Because of his size and strength, he’s still working on leash manners — especially when he sees someone who might give him pets.
“He’s strong, no doubt,” Hooper said. “Anyone who walks him needs to be prepared for a little pulling, especially when he’s excited to meet new people.”
This week, Scooby Doo is meeting with potential adopters, hoping someone will give him the forever home he deserves — one filled with adventure, affection, and maybe a Scooby Snack or two.
If you're in the Ventura area and want to meet Scooby Doo, you can start the adoption process here.
And while Scooby is getting attention, he's far from the only big dog waiting for a home. “Smaller dogs tend to get adopted quickly, but we have about 50 large dogs who’ve been here over 100 days,” Hooper said. “They’re just as loving — they just take up a little more room on the couch.”
If you’ve ever considered adopting or fostering a big dog, now’s the time. Scooby Doo — and many more gentle giants like him — are ready to bring joy, loyalty, and laughter to their new families.