A shelter is no place for a dog, and we all understand that. Sadly, many of our furry companions don’t have the privilege of living in a warm home filled with love.
Even a short stay in a shelter can be daunting for a dog; just imagine how distressing it can be for those who must linger within the confines of a kennel for a much longer period.
One unfortunate dog not only spent the majority of his days in that dismal environment but also faced three devastating returns to the shelter.
The team at the Fresno, California shelter decided to highlight his sorrowful journey on social media, hoping someone might respond to his silent pleas.
Countless Heartaches
Despite having been in various places throughout his life, the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California, was the one place Eros could truly call “home.” Although he had an owner previously, his early life was far from ideal.
“Eros came into our care as an agency transfer from a local animal control shelter,” shared Ruben Cantu, an animal care adoption supervisor at the shelter, with Newsweek. “According to what we were informed by that shelter, he grew up in a homeless encampment and never had a stable ‘home’ environment. His owner was arrested, resulting in Eros being taken by animal control.”
After being taken in by the shelter, Eros was quickly adopted, which led the staff to believe he was a fortunate dog to have found a home so swiftly. However, this was merely the beginning of a series of heartaches.
Cantu explained that the first adoptive family returned him because of his high energy levels, finding him excessively hyper. A subsequent adoption attempt also failed.
“In his second home, there was already a dog present. Despite our training and assistance, the existing dog did not accept Eros as a housemate, leading the family to conclude it was safer for him to return to us,” Cantu added.
After enduring a third heartbreak, the shelter staff decided to publicly express their concerns and frustrations.
Suffering in the Shelter
When Eros left the shelter for the third time to head to a new home, the staff genuinely believed that luck had finally turned in his favor. Regrettably, they were mistaken.
“Eros was thrilled to be adopted after being returned twice, but his joy was short-lived. He was brought back a third time through no fault of his own.” they lamented in the poignant TikTok clip.
The heartbreaking fate of this dog moved the shelter team to tears, but more importantly, they understood the serious consequences of these repeated experiences.
According to a study published in Physiology and Behavior, even just three days in a shelter can lead to severe stress in dogs, with their cortisol levels potentially tripling during that period.
Now, consider the impact of being returned to a shelter three times on a dog’s physical and mental health. Eros undoubtedly bears the scars of this experience.
“We’re fortunate to know Eros well, which has helped him feel more at ease during his return, but I can see he’s still affected by the stress of being in the shelter,” Cantu noted.
No dog deserves the turmoil brought on by even a few days in a shelter, let alone the suffering Eros has experienced.
A Long-Awaited Blessing
When the shelter staff received a call from a potential adoptive family for Eros for the fourth time, their emotions were a blend of joy and apprehension. Nonetheless, they chose to embrace hope and believe that this time would yield a positive outcome. Thankfully, it appears to be a true blessing at last.
“Eros has found a wonderful forever home with a couple who genuinely understand his journey and what he requires to feel secure in his new environment,” Cantu joyfully shared.
In addition to the amazing humans who appreciate his boundless energy, Eros no longer poses a challenge for their existing dog. In fact, his new canine sibling is ecstatic to see him every time.
“If you had witnessed their first meeting, you would think they had been companions forever,” Cantu remarked.
After all he endured and the considerable stress he faced, Eros’s situation has finally blossomed into happiness. He has truly found a place to call home.
