Despite living in a Fiji animal shelter for almost two years, one dog still holds onto hope of being adopted every single day.
Harmonia was brought to a shelter in Nadie, Fiji, on October 27, 2021. Every single day since then, this 2 1/2-year-old shelter dog has looked out of her cage with the longing expression of getting out. She is optimistic that her forever family will come along. The only time she does not look out of the cage is when she is playing with another dog she befriended.
The clip, which was shared to the shelter’s TikTok account @animalsfiji, is tugging on the heartstrings of viewers around the world. The video has been viewed over 85,000 times.
@animalsfiji/TikTok
The team at Animals Fiji, a nonprofit started in 2011, told Newsweek that even with all the online attention Harmonia is getting, an adopter still has not come around. They describe her as shy in the beginning, but willing to open up, especially around treats.
“She has had many people visit over the years but has not found the right fit,” the shelter wrote in the comment section.
Nearly 150 TikTok users have commented on the October 16 video. Some have even questioned whether she can be adopted out-of-country. The shelter responded by saying adoptions happen in person, but sometimes overseas arrangements can be made.
“Sweet girl. Hope she gets adopted soon,” commented a TikTok user. Another one added, “If I was a millionaire, I would adopt them all and treat them as family.”
Each year, 6.3 million pets are surrendered to U.S. shelters, which is an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet “Shelter Watch Report” found.
Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
Similarly in Fiji, the island country has had its fair share of problems relating to a growing population of stray animals and those in shelters. This is a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as closed borders prevented volunteers and international veterinarians from visiting.
Fiji’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates there are about 20,000 to 30,000 dogs on the loose in Suva, the capital city, The Guardian reported in 2022. Prior to the pandemic, that number was around 3,000. Even as spay and neuter programs have continued, shelters are struggling to keep up.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.