Dog Who Has Spent Half His Life in Shelter Still Hopes for Forever Home
Hearts have broken online at one dog who has spent half of his life in a shelter, searching for a forever home.
Thaddeus, a 4-year-old pit bull mix, had been at the Austin Animal Center for 648 days before going into a foster home. But recently he has returned to the shelter as his foster parent was moving away.
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"Thaddeus came into the shelter as a stray in June 2022," Kelsey Cler from Austin Animal Center told Newsweek.
A friendly pup, he waits patiently in his kennel as people walk by. So far, nobody has taken an interest in him.
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 a year prior.
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.
"I've been waiting for my forever people for what feels like forever. I'm a pro at being a work-from-home companion, happy to nap away to the sound of keyboard clicks," an online profile about Thaddeus, or Thad, read. "Did I mention I'm also house-trained and crate-trained? I love learning new things and am eager to show you. Puzzles, toys, treats—I'm all in. I even posed like a champ for those studio photos."
@goodboygonehome Thaddeus was in shelter for over 700 days before finding a foster. Now his time in foster is up and heâs headed back to the shelter. He is @Austin Animal Center longest stay dog. Can anyone in the Texas area help?? He is availble for foster or adoption and can potentially live with dogs and cats. Austin, TX #thaddeus #thad #longstay #pitbullsoftiktok #pitbulllove #austin #texas #help #shelter #shelterdog #sad #sweet #333rule #dogsoftiktok #dogsoftiktokviral #austinanimalcenter #austinanimalshelter #helpme
⬠take a moment to breathe. - normal the kid
In a video on TikTok, user @goodboygonehome shared the moment Thad went back to the shelter after three months in a foster home, and people reacted in the comments by sending love to the shelter dog.
"Poor angel looks like he knows the drill," said one viewer.
While another wrote: "Love his little walk, so confident. Someone please give him a forever home."
Thad loves car rides and walks well on a leash. Available for adoption from Austin Animal Center without a fee, he is looking for a home where he will be the only dog.
When he isn't relaxing with humans and enjoying attention, he loves playing in the water and playing with puzzles, toys, and eating treats.
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