A shelter dog named Scrabble thought he had found his permanent home, but he was heartlessly returned in under 72 hours.
For any pet, especially a young puppy who has faced hardships, three days is far too short to adapt to new surroundings and people.
The emotional highs and lows of expectation and disappointment are a recurring theme for many dogs looking for a loving home.
Across the nation, shelters are witnessing a troubling rise in the number of pets being surrendered. This disheartening trend is a daily concern that shelters confront, and unfortunately, it continues to escalate.
Let Scrabble’s experience serve as a poignant reminder that we must strive to provide better lives for our beloved animals.
Puppy Named Scrabble
This adorable and affectionate puppy, Scrabble, was adopted from Schultz’s Guest House, a dog shelter located in Dedham, Massachusetts, and was returned in less than 72 hours.
However, his journey didn’t truly begin there, as heartbreaking as the situation was.
Originally, Scrabble resided in Tennessee, facing the imminent threat of euthanasia. Fortunately, he was rescued from that shelter and transported to Schultz’s Guest House.
“He was in a high-kill shelter with his brother, Checkers. Our foster carers in the south diligently monitor euthanasia lists and rescue dogs they believe have a chance at a better life and adoption through our shelter,” explained Merrill Fortier from Schultz’s Guest House to Newsweek.
Regrettably, Fortier noted that the situation in Tennessee is dire, and many dogs are being rescued from high-kill shelters and dangerous streets.
Unfortunately, this issue extends beyond Tennessee; it’s a growing concern for many shelters across the country.
According to the Pet Adoption Statistics released by the ASPCA, 6.3 million pets end up in shelters in the USA each year.
Though shelters are committed to finding the ideal forever home for each pet in their care, and thoroughly vetting all applicants, returns still occur with alarming frequency.
Fortier reported that she has seen pets returned anywhere from 24 hours to two weeks, and even years after adoption.
In the majority of instances, pets are returned for undeserved reasons.
For example, Scrabble was returned because he was “too much” for his new family.
