She's the Last of 10 Rescued Dogs—5 Years On, Still Waiting for a Home
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
For five years, pit bull mix Jackie has been waiting for a home of her own.
Her story began on July 20, 2020, when she arrived at Babylon Animal Shelter in Amityville, New York, as part of a court case that removed 10 dogs from an abusive household.
The owner was charged with animal cruelty, and all 10 dogs—including Jackie—were surrendered to the shelter.
But sadly, the 6-year-old pup has been waiting in the shelter since. Described as stubbornly sweet, quirky and heartbreakingly loyal, Jackie loves to try and sit on laps and be close to people.
"She missed being that critical time of being properly socialized in the beginning of her life," Iga from Babylon Animal Shelter told Newsweek. "She has learned positive behaviors at the shelter, but we cannot create a home environment for her."
Jackie the dog, who has spent almost her entire life in a shelter.
Jackie the dog, who has spent almost her entire life in a shelter.
Babylon Animal Shelter
Jackie's long wait is partly due to timing. She arrived during COVID-19 lockdowns, which delayed her adoption eligibility by six months. By the time her case was resolved, the early pandemic wave of adoptions had waned. And then there's the matter of Jackie's temperament—while deeply affectionate with humans, she needs to be the only pet in her home.
"She did have two very short-lived adoptions. One was 24 hours; she urinated in the house and was brought back," Iga said. "Second was the same story and lasted 12 days. In both cases what Jackie would need was clearly explained but, in the end, neither gave her a true chance."
In 2024, U.S. shelters saw a net increase of 103,000 animals, with more pets entering than leaving, according to Shelter Animals Count. Compared to 2019, total intakes remain about 11 percent lower, but the imbalance between intake and outcomes continues to strain shelter resources.
Like Jackie, there are lots of dogs waiting for homes in shelters across the country, and while 2024 saw a 1.6 percent decrease in non-live outcomes from 2023, there were still 748,000 animals in shelters that died as a result of euthanasia, death in care or being lost in care.
Jackie's ideal home would be one with no other pets and adults or older children only as she hasn't been exposed to small children before. Although Iga clarified: "I do not want this to appear as she does not like them, we just do not know and try to always approach children in the home responsibly."
Her adopter should have time to help her adjust and teach her how to be a dog outside a kennel. A fenced yard would be ideal, and somewhere she can sunbathe and chase soccer balls—her favorite things to do—would be perfect.
Jackie is available as a foster or to adopt, and anyone interested should contact the Babylon Animal Shelter in Amityville, New York.
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