Dogs are loyal and love unconditionally. This makes them some of the most devoted companions a person can have. Yet, despite their loving nature, some dogs find themselves heartbroken and abandoned, returned to shelters through no fault of their own. The stories of dogs who faced the pain of being returned to the shelter need to be shared so that we can understand their suffering.
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1. Rescued Dog Found as Stray
Source: Animal Planet/Youtube
After receiving an email from an animal shelter in Mississippi about one of their adopted dogs being picked up as a stray, the Villalobos team sprang into action. Upon arrival, they immediately recognized the pup, Melfi, and brought her back to their shelter. However, when they contacted Melfi’s adopter, they were informed that she would not be taking the dog back.
2. Brought Back to Shelter 8 Times
Source: Zoo Land/Youtube
Ren, a 4-year-old Labrador mix, had a rough start in life, being returned to the Edmond Animal Shelter eight times since his first human left him in 2015. Despite being a smart and playful dog, Ren’s ability to escape from yards with low fences led to repeated returns. All Ren needed was love, exercise, a playmate, and a secure 6-foot fence. In March 2019, after the shelter shared his story on Facebook, Ren found his forever home with two dedicated dog lovers who already had another dog from the shelter. The shelter team is confident this adoption is permanent.
3. “Hyper” Dog Returned to Shelter
Source: People/Youtube
Rusty, a German shepherd and Catahoula mix from Central Texas, has faced a challenging journey in his search for a permanent home. Initially surrendered as a puppy to the Humane Society of Central Texas in Waco in February 2020 due to his high energy, Rusty spent two months in a foster home before being sent to a rescue organization in Idaho.
4. Shelter Dog Returned
Source: WKYC Channel 3/Youtube
After spending 1,100 days at the shelter, Geronimo, the resilient dog, finally found a home. Unfortunately, he was recently returned. However, there was hope on the horizon. The Humane Society of Summit County has identified a potential forever home for Geronimo. The prospective human had already met Geronimo at the time of reporting. However, we do not know if Geronimo was adopted.
5. Returned 6 Times
Source: 12 News/Youtube
Dina, a seven-year-old with a heart full of love and a zest for life, has barely known a life outside of shelter walls. Dina was returned to the Arizona Animal Welfare League six times in just one year, each time hoping to find her perfect match. It’s unknown at the time of writing whether or not she found her forever home.
The stories of these heartbroken dogs serve as powerful reminders of the emotional depth and resilience of our furry friends. Despite experiencing the anguish of being returned to the shelter, they continue to hope for a second chance at a loving home. By raising awareness about the plight of these animals, we can inspire others to consider adoption and provide these deserving dogs with the stable, caring environments they need. Let us all do our part to ensure that these loyal companions never have to face the heartbreak of abandonment again.
We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to only adopt instead of shopping and use this amazing pet adoption search tool by WildWatchers to find shelter animals near you!
Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal.

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