Shelter Dog Whose Spirit Is Fading Goes Viral, Sparking Hope for Adoption

A heartbreaking photo showing the plight of one dog who has spent over half a year in the shelter has gone viral after the shelter appealed for help finding him a home.

For the latest pupdate scroll to the bottom of this article.

“This is what 128 days of shelter life looks like for dogs like Tyson. He is scared, anxious, sad, and confused. But most of all, he is losing hope… Hope that he will ever find a family of his own and one day be able to leave noisy shelter life behind,” Fulton County Regional SPCA – NY began on their Facebook page.

In the photo, Tyson looks forlornly at the photographer, his head bowed low and his eyes looking sad.

The shelter added, “Our sweet Tyson is beginning to show signs of decline at the shelter. He is pacing in circles in his kennel, refusing to come outside – even for snacks. Shelter life is breaking Tyson’s spirit and Tyson is breaking our hearts.”

The shelter says that “Tyson is one of the sweetest, most snuggly boys we have ever met.” He also gets along wonderfully with other people and pets. “He is four years young, good with other dogs and can live with cats.”

He’s also wonderfully low key. “He is not a high energy or high maintenance pup,” they described. “He’s content to just lay on the couch and watch you work, or take a stroll after dinner to smell the flowers. He truly is the very best boy and just wants a forever human to cuddle with.”

“Someone out there must be looking to add a sweet pup like Tyson to their family.”

The post quickly got animal lovers’ attention and received over 5,000 shares in just two days. Thousands of people provided an outpouring of support for Tyson.

Tyson’s photo also caught the attention of local news stations, which have come by and interviewed staff and visited Tyson. Staff noted that “Tyson was EXTRA brave today for his very first television interview with WTEN! He was a little hesitant at first, but he had his best friend, Volunteer Kelsey by his side for when things got too overwhelming.”

During the visits of news crews and shelter workers, Tyson’s demeanour changed and he was all smiles.

Tyson’s supporters and Fulton County Regional SPCA hope that the extra attention Tyson is receiving will help him find a forever family. To apply to adopt Tyson visit fcrspca.org/adopt

PUPDATE: Tyson has been adopted

Not long after Tyson’s story went viral, he found his forever family. The shelter wrote, “Thank you to everyone who shared his post, contributed towards his adoption fee, and submitted an application. But the biggest thank you of all goes to our incredible team of volunteers who never gave up on this special boy and loved him like their own until he found his happily ever after.”

They shared a photo of him having a relaxing snooze with a smile on his face. He’s right at home.

Fulton County Regional SPCA is just one of hundreds of overcrowded shelters with dogs like Tyson looking for a home. Consider reaching out to your local humane society to see how you can help an animal in need.