It's been a long time coming, but a rescue dog is finally home, sweet home.
Chester the pit bull had been living in rescue shelters for 5 years. He was most recently staying at the North Fork Animal Welfare League's (NFAWL) shelter in Long Island, New York with no luck finding an owner, Gillian Wood Pultz, executive director of NFAWL told the Huffington Post in an email. Taking a unique approach to help get Chester adopted, group manager Gabby Stroup and volunteer Valerie Sanks decided to post a picture of him posing with a heartbreaking sign to the NFAWL's Facebook page.
Poor Chester is still waiting 5 years being overlooked!! He is a sweet guy who loves to lay on the couch. He likes most other dogs . 631-765-1811 ext 1 or manager@nfawl.org
Posted by The North Fork Animal Welfare League, Inc/Southold Animal Shelter on Wednesday, April 1, 2015
The sign read:
“Why doesn’t anybody want me? I’ve been waiting 5 years. Everyone at the shelter tells me what a good boy I am. So why has no one adopted me? I promise to be good and love my new family. Please maybe you are my new family... I sit and wait for you to come.”
The picture, which was originally posted last Wednesday, quickly went viral with over 20,100 shares on Facebook as of Monday afternoon. Inspired by the popular post, Stroup also created a Facebook page dedicated to the pup's adoption journey.
I think I'm getting closer to finding a family!!!! Thank you to everyone who is sharing me!! Even when I find a home I...
Posted by Chester Waiting for five years on Friday, April 3, 2015
The pooch's buzz on social media paid off and hundreds of people across the country called in to the shelter, asking about the canine, according to Southhold Local. Chester finally ended up catching the attention of owners who Stroup called the "perfect match" -- Michigan couple Dana and Adi Dor, and their sons, Aidan and Brandon-- who brought him home last Saturday.
“We saw him and we felt connected," Adi told Southhold Local. "It was meant to be.”
Posted by The North Fork Animal Welfare League, Inc/Southold Animal Shelter on Friday, April 3, 2015
Though Chester has a sweet personality, Pultz told the HuffPost that the reputation surrounding his breed likely had to do with his lengthy stay.
"So many wonderful pit bulls get overlooked at shelters," Pultz said.
Chester is now living happily in his new home and though it took him a while to get adopted, Pultz told HuffPost that the experience has shown the organization the positive power of social media. She hopes that the interest in NFAWL can help get more of their shelter pets loving homes.
"We have had a large increase in the volume of phone calls and emails. We are hoping this transfers into adoptions for some of our other long term residents," Pultz said.
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Before You Go
They always end up snuggled close to the big pack of dogs who live with Morabito and her husband on a permanent basis. The dogs don't seem to mind the attention one bit. (The dueling sweater outfits are maybe another story!)
"Not only are they helping us get animals adopted, but they are freeing up space at our adoption centers for other animals in need," says Zenit Chughtai, spokesperson for the Washington Humane Society, D.C.'s city shelter.
"Fosters are the light and joy of my day. They swoop in and help all the animals that need their care the most," adds WHS's foster coordinator Jennah Billeter. "They're not only heroes to animals, they're heroes to all of us who care so deeply about animal welfare."
As he was brought back to health, his goofy personality appeared, and Droopy "became a bouncing, boisterous happy Basset Hound with one of the funniest personalities I've ever seen."
"Droopy is a character and would make me laugh constantly. The more I laughed, the more he would clown," says Gear, who was able to help this lovable guy find a wonderful family of his own after about six months of fostering. He also found his way into a Louie's Legacy fundraising calendar.
"Interacting and gaining the trust of these abandoned dogs, many of whom have also been mistreated, has been incredible for their self-esteem," says Duer. "It's been a wonderful experience for all of us."
"We can take in a shelter dog on the weekend, give him or her a break from the shelter environment, offer an extended play date with our dog -- which is actually good for her, too! -- take great pictures and learn important things about our foster dog that will be helpful to potential adopters to facilitate the perfect match," Peters says. "All the dogs we have fostered have found their forever home within just a few days of their return to the shelter!"
"She was a spooky little cuss that nobody liked, but she was my rock," Grosz says.
Grosz decided to foster a cat named Heath, who'd been described by shelter staff as a "moody jerk," thinking that this guy would help her get over her heartbreak.
"He turned out to be the complete opposite, which wasn't entirely disappointing," says Grosz. "Heath brought so much joy into my life while he was here, and personally seeing him off to his new mom completely redefined my understanding of love and purpose. To call the experience profound would cheapen it; Heefy showed me my best self, and mended my broken heart in the process."
If you can't easily find the information for your local shelter or favorite rescue group, call, or send an email, to find out more. They will be so happy to hear from you.
"The foster mom posted that she was available for adoption on a local Facebook garage sale site," says Marcy Duarte. "I fell in love with that forehead on Facebook and just knew she was our dog!"
"One of the added benefits of fostering: meeting and getting to know people I'd never have met otherwise," she says.
"It’s never easy to say goodbye to these beautiful souls, but seeing their happy ending makes it all worthwhile," says Lucy Rockdale, founder of My Buddy Dog Rescue. "And just when that chapter comes to an end, there is another one waiting in the wings for a chance to be saved."
Bumper is now permanent at her house, and even has a beloved brother, another "foster failure" named Willis.
Garrison is still bringing home new fosters from Missouri-based Mutts n Stuff on a regular basis.
"There just isn't a better feeling that could ever compare," Garrison says, "knowing what you have done in saving a life."
