An Illinois animal shelter has issued a desperate plea for a pit-bull mix at risk of euthanasia.
A heartbreaking post from the City of Aurora, Illinois Animal Care and Control shared the story of Crong, a dog whose anxiety has spiraled since he was returned to the shelter and his brother adopted without him. Shelter staff are now urgently seeking a quiet, loving home to save Crong from further decline—and euthanasia.
“This post is not easy to write,” began the shelter’s Facebook post. “Crong was born at our shelter. Adopted as a puppy. Returned in February with his brother when their family could no longer care for them. Blue was adopted quickly. Crong was left behind.”
File photo: A mixed-breed dog peers through bars at a shelter.
BiancaGrueneberg/Getty Images
Crong’s struggle with anxiety has been long-standing, making shelter life a battle.
“Crong has always struggled with anxiety,” the post read. “He doesn’t warm up quickly. He doesn’t show well. He’s scared of everything in the shelter. The barking, the movement, the chaos—it’s all just too much.” The impact of his brother’s adoption intensified his fear.
Despite exhaustive efforts, including medication, enrichment opportunities and a lot of love, nothing has helped. And the toll on the staff is immense, too. Volunteers say they go home crying again and again.
“This job is heartbreaking,” the shelter wrote. “We don’t get to save everyone. Dogs like Crong are lost to the system, not because they’re broken, but because they can’t survive here. Their minds shatter before their bodies ever give out.”
An Ideal Home
A volunteer, who described in the video meeting Crong during her time at Aurora Animal Control, said he was her favorite.
She recently took Crong out of the shelter for a weekend to “decompress,” so the world could see how “deserving he is of love.” In the clip, she said she believes a calmer environment is crucial for Crong’s survival—an ideal home would be calm and predictable, with no other pets.
The plea has resonated with many, including those with experience in helping anxious dogs.
“Coming from someone who adopted a dog with extreme anxiety issues, it’s so rewarding to watch them open up and become themselves,” one person wrote in the comments. “Is it hard some days, yes of course, but it’s so worth it to show them the love they deserve.”
In a hopeful development, one Facebook user inquired about the adoption process, asking what steps she would need to take to adopt. Then, in a heartwarming follow-up, she later commented: “Well, [Crong] met three of the four of us and it went well … so, he might have a new forever home! Thanks for posting or we never would have found him!”
Newsweek reached out to the City of Aurora, IL Animal Care and Control for comment.
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