The shelter is not a home for dogs, and we all understand that. Sadly, many dogs are forced to spend their golden years behind kennel bars.
Even when shelters provide all the necessary facilities, staying there for extended periods can be challenging for any dog. One can only imagine the plight of those canines condemned to stay in a shelter without end for days, or even months.
Tragically, such a heartrending narrative comes from a shelter in Austin, Texas.
“He Looks Defeated”
According to a Public Relations spokesperson from Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) shelter during an interview with Newsweek, a Great Pyrenees named Spinach arrived at their shelter on May 20, 2023, with a ruptured eye when he was only two months old.
Following his arrival, the veterinary team promptly removed the damaged eye, and he returned to the shelter toward the end of November due to “resource guarding behavior.”
“Spinach was incarcerated in a kennel all last summer – merely a puppy back then. Today, as temperatures soar to unbearable levels, he remains trapped in that kennel, once more suffering from the intense heat,” APA! stated in the caption of a TikTok video shared on August 7, 2024.
@austinpetsalive
Spinach was in a kennel all last summer – just a puppy back then. Today, as temps reach new heights, he’s still in that kennel, once more facing the intense heat. We need your assistance to provide #greatpyrenees Spinach some respite from this scorching weather. This week, we aim to replace fans like the one above Spinach’s kennel, install shade cloths, and carry out repairs on our HVAC system and additional essential facilities. Could you assist? Thanks to generous anonymous donors, your donation today will be DOUBLED up to $28,000 to help us acquire cooling supplies such as… 🐶 Kennel fans – $150 each ❄️ Kennel mister compressors – $2,500 each 🌳 Shade cloths – $30 each 🧊 Bagged ice (15 bags/day) – $45 per day 💧 Gatorade/other supplies for people in the heat – $25 per day To support pets like Spinach now, visit the link in our bio. 🐾 Can’t contribute but want to help? Join us as a foster or adopt a dog today! #austinpetsalive #austintx #texasheat #shelterdog #beforeandafter ♬ оригинальный звук – Bah Rouz
This heartbreaking video showcased Spinach at just three months old, followed by footage from his 432nd day in the shelter.
A comment by a TikTok user poignantly encapsulated Spinach’s plight: “He looks defeated,” they expressed.
Despite Spinach’s unwavering smile and the positive energy he radiated throughout his entire stay at the shelter, potential adopters unfortunately overlooked him.
Consequently, this sweet dog endures the harsh conditions of the shelter yet again, striving to regain some hope for a brighter future.
Hope For A Better Future
The circumstances in shelters nationwide are troubling, but Austin’s situation is particularly dire, especially this summer when the heat is relentless.
“Our facility is falling apart, and while we have plans to rebuild, fundraising will take several years,” stated Sanchez. “Currently, our kennels are outside. We rely on fans, misters, swamp coolers, and various methods to reduce temperatures and ensure their safety, but it doesn’t compare to the comfort of a real home. We would be extremely grateful for any wishlist donations or monetary contributions. Most importantly, we are actively seeking fosters and adopters for dogs like Spinach to provide them with a cool, comfortable home.”
Despite these challenges, they remain hopeful that someone will welcome this unique and beautiful dog into their home. They describe Spinach as house-trained, highly food-driven, and an eager learner.
“He would thrive with adults and older children who can respect his boundaries. He excels in a home environment and is equally compatible with other dogs. He even serves as our test dog for assessing incoming dogs,” noted Luis.
We, on our part, hope that this viral attention will lead to positive outcomes, with potential adopters eager to provide this extraordinary boy with a loving home.
He deserves nothing less.
