A recent video of a scared puppy crying while left tied to a pole shattered people's hearts.

TikTok user @wolfbrainsz heard screams and cries that did not let up outside the animal shelter where she works. She and other coworkers went outside to discover a tiny puppy tied around a pole. Someone had dumped the pup and left with no note or explanation, an unfortunate common occurrence in shelters globally.

Pet parents might resort to dog dumping if they feel out of options. Perhaps they've had a change in circumstances such as moving, losing a job or bringing home a newborn. Some might not realize how big of a responsibility it is to care for pets and others might not have the time and patience to work through any behavioral issues. Not to mention the rising costs of pet care between food and vet bills.

In the December 8 TikTok video, they slowly walked toward him but "he was petrified" and tried backing away. He seemed to take an interest in them as his tail kept wagging. Conflicted, he didn't know whether or not to trust these strangers after being left by himself that morning.

She wrote in the comment section of the video that they offered him treats, which he immediately accepted and warmed up to them.

"He's so sweet!!! Naming him Popcorn," the comment read.

A follow-up video showed him inside the shelter and playing with her. She said he's a happy pup and a "crazy ball of energy." A potential adopter was coming to visit him that day.

Newsweek reached out to @wolfbrainsz via TikTok for additional information. We could not verify the details of the case.

What Are People Saying?

Devastated and furious about the situation, TikTok viewers flooded the comment section. Their hearts hurt for the pup.

"I will never understand how people can do this to an animal. It infuriates me," said one person, while a second wrote: "His cries break my heart! To be that afraid of a person says a lot about his past! Poor baby!"

Another added: "Poor baby. Thank you for saving this pup."

Shelter Intakes

Shelter Animals Count, a national database, reported that 3,118,000 dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in the United States during the first half of 2024. This is down about 5 percent compared to the same period last year and the downward trend is projected to continue through the end of the year.

The number of stray dogs and cats entering facilities has decreased by 6 percent. However, owner surrender rates increased from 30.5 percent in 2019 to 32 percent in 2024, which is primarily due to cats.

Although the number of intakes is slightly down from a year prior, animal shelters and rescues are still experiencing overcrowdedness. This is due to a decrease in adoption rates. The report found about 82,000 fewer dogs and cats were being adopted in the first half of 2024 compared to a year prior.