An abandoned puppy who arrived at an animal shelter in desperate need of help has undergone a remarkable transformation, but has yet to find a forever home.
Dougie was dumped on the streets at six months old; now 443 days later, he is still waiting for someone to give him a chance.
“It’s a tragedy; he is a bundle of love and nobody wants him,” told Marina Fiddler, the co-founder of Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption [MADRA].
On December 3, the shelter wrote a heart-wrenching Facebook post that gained much attention.
Marina Fiddler/MADRA Dog Rescue
An excerpt said: “Dougie had such a sad start in life. He arrived to us in a dreadful state with open sores and very little coat left due to untreated mange, he looked like a defeated old boy.
“He was actually only a pup at the time and has improved hugely since then thanks to some much needed [tender love and care] TLC and a good diet. “
The shelter in Galway, Ireland, is desperate for Dougie to be adopted but Fiddler believes people are reluctant because of his breed. She told Newsweek that the English bull terrier mix is less desirable and often overlooked.
She said: “He came into our care 18 months ago and it’s clear he came from a bad situation. He was bald and terrified of everything.
“We don’t know what happened to him but we can tell he wasn’t a very well-loved pet. He had serious trauma.
“Thankfully, a little TLC goes a long way with animals; once they realize they are safe and can trust someone then the recovery can happen very fast.”
Statistics released by the Department of Rural and Community Development show there were 5,000 strays in dog pounds in Ireland in 2022 and more than 3,000 were transferred to an animal welfare group.
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 an average of 46,807 per day 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.
Fiddler explained that Dougie would make the perfect pet for someone who is active and doesn’t have young children.
She told Newsweek: “He is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. He would be a great family pet.
“He would suit a home with older kids and would love to run around the garden then snuggle on the sofa; that would be his dream.”
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.