The heartwarming moment when a foster dog made himself at home has delighted internet viewers.

In a video with more than 364,000 views on TikTok, Katie Fontanella (or @katfont on TikTok) shared how the dog she had fostered instantly found his place on a cozy chair.

The clip begins with Fontanella expressing mild panic after losing sight of her new foster dog, only to discover him fully relaxed in a large blue armchair near the family's Christmas tree. "When you panic because you can't find your new foster dog only a few hours after bringing him home, only to find this," read the text overlay on the video. The camera then panned to the dog, napping soundly in his chosen safe spot.

Fontanella later shared details about the dog's journey, saying that she had taken him in from a local shelter where he had spent years waiting for a home. As a temporary foster, she urged others to consider fostering, describing it as something she would "10/10 recommend." Newsweek reached out to @katfont7 via TikTok for comment.

In 2023, 6.5 million animals entered U.S. shelters, according to Shelter Animals Count, up 4 percent when compared to 2022 intakes. At the end of 2023, 117,000 additional dogs and cats were in the animal sheltering system compared to the same time the year before.

Around 850,000 animals were euthanized in shelters in 2023, a rise of 15 percent when compared to 2022. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.

Animal fostering is an essential part of pet rescue, helping to create space in overcrowded shelters; offer a secure and nurturing space for animals recovering from trauma or illness; and provide more individualized attention and training, which can help their chances of being adopted later on.

The viral video prompted plenty of responses from dog lovers who couldn't get enough of the heartwarming scene.

"That's amazing! Makes my heart full," posted Greta, while Emilys.ghost wrote: "You're gonna have to let him take the chair when he finds his forever home. Thank you for giving him a warm and safe space until that time comes."

"That sweet baby," commented TikTok user HippieLove4167. "Found his chair. He's so comfortable."

Another animal foster carer, DrLaurenW, added: "Mine was like that too … took him awhile to decompress in the calm and quiet. Best gift you can ever give."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.