For over a year, a shelter dog has been facing the same heartbreaking view from within the confines of his kennel—and it has started to take a toll.
Brutus had already experienced more than his fair share of rejection by the time he arrived at the Humane Society of Central Illinois (HSCI). “Brutus was found running loose in our local area,” Nicole Monson from HSCI told Newsweek. “When we contacted his registered owner, we learned she had moved to Tennessee and was not returning for him.”
However, that sense of rejection has likely only worsened over the past year. For more than 365 days, Brutus has watched people pass by his kennel with little to no interest in adopting him.
Screengrabs from @hscipets’ video of Brutus. Sadly Brutus has watched people pass by his kennel with little to no interest in adopting him.
@hscipets/TikTok
A video posted to the HSCI TikTok channel offers a snapshot of what that feels like, and thousands have viewed the clip since it was posted last week. It shows Brutus attempting to make eye contact with anyone who passes by in the hope that they give him some attention.
Monson said the video was made to “shed light on what extended time in a kennel can feel like, especially for dogs who watch others leave while they continue to wait.” She said: “We do our best to enrich his days, but nothing replaces a stable home environment.”
The sad reality is that shelter dogs have the smallest window of time in which to make an impression on a visitor. A 2014 study in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science estimated visitors engage with just one dog per visit and that these interactions lasted around just eight minutes on average.
Monson believes the fact Brutus is a “large dog” with a “big personality and some behavioral quirks” has counted against him. “He doesn’t get along with other dogs and would need to be the only pet in a home without children under 12,” she said. “While he’s loyal and intelligent, he can be stubborn, reactive, and needs someone with a strong training sense, who can manage his personality and set boundaries. He’s incredibly loving and playful once he trusts someone.”
Screengrabs from @hscipets’ video of Brutus. Nicole Monson from HSCI said they learned Brutus’ owner moved to Tennessee and was not returning for him.
@hscipets/TikTok
Monson said those considerations have made adoption “challenging” and, after over a year with no luck, being at the shelter has started to impact Brutus negatively, which is a sadly all too common situation. “Kennel life over an extended period takes both a physical and mental toll. It’s difficult for high-energy, intelligent dogs like Brutus, who may become frustrated or shut down,” she said.
Staff still firmly believe the right forever home is out there though. “He would thrive in a structured home with no other pets or small children,” Monson said. “Ideally, his adopter would be someone who understands strong, sometimes stubborn breeds, and can provide both leadership and affection.”
Ultimately, creating this video was about giving “a voice” to Brutus and other dogs like him. “We hope people see beyond a first impression and remember that every animal has a story worth telling—and a life worth investing in,” Monson said. “Brutus, like so many others, just needs someone willing to take that leap.”
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