An animal shelter volunteer recently shared on TikTok what it looks like to place dogs in kennels when they’re surrendered and it has shattered hearts.
The volunteer, who is known on TikTok as @deathtonecanines, was helping a German shepherd mix puppy named Rutt at Stanislaus Animal Services Agency in California. For this nearly year-old dog, the animal shelter environment is completely new and the kennel terrified him.
In the March 24 video, Rutt is trying with all his might to avoid the kennel. He puts his entire body on the ground, hoping it will stop the volunteer from pulling him inside. His tail is tucked between his legs. He attempts an escape, but the volunteer is there to stop him with as much love as she can.
The text on the video reads: “What happens when you dump or drop your dog off at the shelter.”
Rutt was brought to the shelter on March 6. But given how loud and stressful animal shelters can be, the environment is already taking a toll on the pup, as it does for every animal who lives in one.
The volunteer tried to comfort him with pets and kisses, which can help, but it never compares to a forever home.
The video was also shared to Instagram, where the volunteer said Rutt is a lovely dog. He gets so excited every time he is out of the kennel, but this is the scene that happens when he has to go back in.
The heartbreaking clip quickly went viral, reaching over 5.1 million views, 784,100 likes, and 14,100 comments within the first two days of being posted. Viewers couldn’t hold back their tears.
“The worst part, he has no idea what he did wrong that his family abandoned him. Going to hug my boys tonight a little longer than usual,” commented a TikTok user.
Another added: “Poor babies they all deserve a home and love my heart just breaks for them.”
One viewer dreamed: “In a perfect world, every dog has a home.”
Newsweek reached out to @deathtonecanines via TikTok for comment.
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U.S. Shelter Numbers
Each year, 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters, an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared to January 2022, the 24Pet “Shelter Watch Report” found.
About 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.
There were 648 animals admitted to the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency in February, according to the shelter’s website, about 22 per day.
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.
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