A video of a senior dog lying in a shelter after losing her owner has gone viral on TikTok.
The dog, named Annie, was filmed lying on her bed inside an enclosure at an animal shelter based in Dorset, England.
In the clip shared by fostering organization @phoebesfosterfriends, which has racked up over 107,000 views, the door to her kennel opens and Annie’s tail begins to wag as the person filming moves closer and gives her attention.
Text over the video reads: “We’ve got you now, sweet girl. It’s not your fault.” According to the post, Annie’s owner died last October, and the family was unable to keep her. “She lost the only person and home she’s ever known in 10 years, all at once,” the text continues.
A stock image of a hand petting stray dog in pet shelter.
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The caption notes that Annie is now in a foster home instead of a shelter and is being considered for adoption.
Why Dogs Are Given Up to Shelters
A study by the Animal Welfare Program at the University of British Columbia examined more than 32,000 dog surrender cases in British Columbia from 2008 to 2019. It identified several key reasons owners gave up their dogs:
- Having too many dogs
- Housing problems
- Personal issues
- Financial difficulties
- Dog behavior
- Owner’s health
The study found some trends shifted over time. Surrenders due to financial hardship became less frequent, while cases related to dog behavior and overpopulation increased. Other factors included the dog’s age, breed, size, health, and the owner’s location. For instance, puppies and small dogs in rural areas were more likely to be surrendered due to having too many pets, while housing issues were a more common reason in urban settings.
The researchers suggested that targeted support, such as pet-friendly housing policies and affordable veterinary services, could help reduce the number of dogs entering shelters.
TikTok Reacts
The video, posted on June 12, has received over 10,800 likes and more than 700 comments.
“I already made arrangements with my kids that if something happens to me, my son will be taking care of my puppers. What a weight off my shoulders knowing she won’t be thrown away. Wishing the best parents for you lil puppers,” one user wrote.
Another commenter added: “She’s so lovely. Why would the family give her up?!! We would’ve loved to have her but we have a very bouncy male Golden Retriever. I hope she finds her happy retirement home.”
“That’s so sad. Family dogs should stay family. I would never do this to any of them,” said a third. The original poster replied: “I don’t know the circumstances so I can’t judge but it’s just so sad for little Annie. Losing all she knows overnight.”
Newsweek reached out to @phoebesfosterfriends for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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