Shelter Dog Gets Out Of Kennel And Parties All Night Long

When shelter staff arrived to open up the Bedford County Humane Society in Pennsylvania there were toys strewn everywhere in the hallways. It was clear that “someone had a good night at the shelter” and that someone was Gilligan.

Gilligan is the shelter’s official office greeter and a “lifer” at the shelter, where he’s lived since 2021 when he came in as a puppy. Trauma from his early life meant that he’s remained at the shelter where he is very happy. He was especially happy one night last week when he got to “pawty” and play with practically every toy at the shelter.

@stardust9822 Gillagan had one crazy night last night. 🥰 #funnydogvideos #shelterdogs #dog ♬ original sound – Stardust9822

One of the staff accidentally forgot to latch Gilligan’s kennel properly when closing up for the night. Gilligan noticed, freed himself and decided to have some fun, which involved finding the newly donated pile of toys from Christmas.

“He spent a long time checking to see if anyone was in the building,” Joyce Ross, an employee at Bedford County Humane Society, told The Dodo of Gilligan’s escapade. “Once he realized he was alone, he went straight for the toys. One by one, he pulled them out of the pile that we had just received from all of our Christmas donations, and he brought them in the hallway to play with them and to pull the squeakers out.”

Gilligan didn’t just play in one room either. He brought toys all over the shelter and staff found what remained of the toys strewn all over the place. He happily greeted staff that next morning by dancing and greeting them with his tail wagging.


The shelter staff are all having a good laugh about it, noting that “It’s a good thing Gilligan was on patrol” as “Something destroyed all these toys sometime during the night.”

Reviewing the surveillance tapes also revealed that Gilligan had literally partied all night long! He began at 6:30pm…

@stardust9822 Gilligan’s crazy night caught on camera part 1 of 2. #dog #shelterdogs #funnydogvideos #shelterdogsbestlife ♬ original sound – Stardust9822

…And by midnight he’s still going strong!

@stardust9822 Gilligan’s crazy night caught on camera part 2 of 2.#shelterdogsbestlife #funnydogvideos #shelterdogs #dog ♬ original sound – Stardust9822

Employees began the salvage operation soon after they surveilled the mess and noted that Gilligan indulged in the toys with squeakers only. The food supplies and toys without squeakers were left untouched.

“First, we went through all of the toys to check for any survivors that could possibly be played with again,” said Ross. “He spared most of the ones without a squeaker because that is what he was after. Once we recovered some of the toys that could be reused, the cleanup was pretty easy.”

People have since joked that Gilligan must be exhausted from working the night shift but most agree that he had the night of his life!

If you would like to make a donation to the shelter, or perhaps a toy or two or three, visit the Bedford County Humane Society website.

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