The Daily Populous Sunday July 14th, 2024 evening edition
Authored by newsweek.com and submitted by Sariel007

A dog who has been in a shelter kennel for over 473 days has finally been given a better chance of finding a new home.

Bruno had been at the Colonial Heights Animal Shelter since March 2023, where he was dumped with two other dogs on the shelter property. He and his sister Justice, who is still at the shelter, were difficult to secure, and Bruno had some barrier insecurities that made him wary of strangers and fences.

But the shelter never gave up on Bruno, and in happy news announced on their Facebook page on July 10 that he had been given a new home. Ring Dog Rescue, a Richmond-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping "pit bull type dogs," saw Bruno's potential and arranged a spot for him at a board and train facility, where he will now receive professional training and care to prepare him for adoption.

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"After over a year of Bruno being here, he said his goodbyes yesterday and headed to his new life!" Colonial Heights Animal Shelter said on Facebook. "We wanted to give a huge thank you and shout out to Ring Dog Rescue for giving him this amazing opportunity to find his new life and family that he deserves."

A picture of rescue dog Bruno who is set to be trained up ready to find his perfect family home. A picture of rescue dog Bruno who is set to be trained up ready to find his perfect family home. Colonial Heights Animal Shelter

In 2023, 6.5 million animals entered U.S. shelters, according to Shelter Animals Count, up 4 percent when compared to 2022 intakes. At the end of 2023, 117,000 additional dogs and cats were in the animal sheltering system compared to the same time the year before.

Around 850,000 animals were euthanized in shelters in 2023, a rise of 15 percent when compared to 2022. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.

Bruno has also tested positive for heartworms and is suffering a slight ACL issue, but Colonial Heights said that the team from Ring Dog Rescue were not deterred and will treat his medical conditions too.

The Facebook post announcing the good news received hundreds of reactions and comments from people who were happy for Bruno and grateful to the shelter and the rescue group for their efforts.

"I love to see their faces when the dogs leave the shelter," said commenter Kenney.

While Facebook user Lori Acevedo said: "Congratulations big guy may you fill someone's home slam full of love and fun."

"I got chills reading the wonderful journey this beautiful dog is taking," wrote Janice Cox.

"Thank you, he is a beautiful dog," added Pam Green.

Newsweek reached out to Colonial Heights Animal Shelter and Ring Dog Rescue via email for comment.

Soltea on July 14th, 2024 at 07:05 UTC »

Maybe time to stop breeding fighting dogs.

Debaser626 on July 14th, 2024 at 05:56 UTC »

I got my dog a year ago, from an online “red alert”shelter adoption notice. We wanted a dog… and an adult one, but I honestly wanted to take some more time to be sure that it was going to be a good fit.

Unfortunately, when I called the shelter it was past his “expiration time” and they had already sedated him for euthanasia.

The shelter was like “you can come right now… or take another look at the list of dogs we have and come later on in the week.”

I went right over, but they told me I couldn’t meet him until the sedatives had worn off, but if I signed the papers they would put him back in a kennel. His paperwork had all sorts of red flags: Guarding behavior with water, toys and food, some recorded undetermined aggression (but no biting), and he was a frequent “runaway.”

A few hours later I went back, hoping to suss out his personality a bit, but the “meeting” was about as productive as a date with Bill Cosby. He was awake, but still whacked out of his mind and could barely walk.

I almost changed my mind, then was like: “Fuck it. Worst case scenario he’s just a mean dog, and I’ll keep him in the garage and give him steaks for the whole weekend. Then bring him back on Monday at least with his doomsday clock restarted.”

Except he’s totally the best dog I’ve ever had. Risky perhaps, but I’m incredibly glad I went with my gut.

He’s happy (sleeping on our bed right now) and he’s nothing but the bestest boy. It took a few days for him to fully adjust, but after that he was about as aggressive as a comforter and has no interest in running away.

-PM_Me_Dat_Ass_Girl- on July 14th, 2024 at 02:06 UTC »

His sister who was dumped at the shelter with him is still there, though. 😒