Latest news with #HumaneSocietyofBrowardCounty
Newsweek
a day ago
- General
- Newsweek
Tears As Shelter Dog Clings to Toy Waiting for Someone To Choose Her
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hearts have broken for a shelter dog who has repeatedly been "overlooked"—but doesn't give up hope on being chosen. Peanut, a 7-year-old mixed breed, is under the care of the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, having been transferred to them from another shelter. While the staff members don't know much about her past—apart from clear evidence she has previously had at least one litter of puppies and has "been through a lot"—Peanut is described as an "incredibly sweet, loving, and playful" dog. Staff member Kaitlin Pechin told Newsweek: "She has this endearing habit of holding a toy in her mouth when she is in her kennel, and we believe it comforts her while she waits and hopes for someone to notice her." Peanut has now experienced an outpouring of love, after her rescue shared a video montage of her waiting in her kennel with her comfort toys in her mouth, eagerly waiting for her perfect family to come along. In the clip, shared to the Humane Society of Broward County Facebook page on July 20, Peanut gazes lovingly out of the kennel, her tail wagging slowly, with a plush toy in her mouth. As the montage goes on, it shows Peanut at different times and in different places, always with a stuffed animal hanging from her jaws for comfort—often while looking out the glass door of her kennel. Peanut stands in the shelter with her stuffed toys in her mouth. Peanut stands in the shelter with her stuffed toys in her mouth. Facebook / Humane Society of Broward County The rescue wrote: "She's trying to comfort herself. "7-year-old Peanut is having trouble getting adopted because of her age. So now she waits at the kennel glass with a toy in her mouth as adopters pass by, hoping someone will notice her." The rescue's post added that Peanut has "been with us for some time, and we truly don't understand why." Pechin said: "Unfortunately, older dogs like Peanut are often overlooked by adopters who want puppies, but she still has so much love and energy to give. "She is great with kids and adults, and she might enjoy having a dog sibling, although we always schedule meet-and-greets to ensure a good fit. Peanut would bring endless laughter and companionship to a lucky family. She truly lights up around people!" Animal lovers' hearts broke for the older dog, awarding the post more than 16,000 likes, as one wrote: "Can't understand why she's still at shelter! She sits quietly with her stuffy in her mouth. So beautiful and sweet." Another posted: "Awww, this breaks my heart. She is so beautiful, and I hope that someone truly special will want to give her a happy and loving home soon." Peanut stands in her kennel with her stuffed animals. Peanut stands in her kennel with her stuffed animals. Facebook/ Humane Society of Broward County "Seniors are the best! I've never regretted adopting our seniors. Someone's got to give this girl a chance," another commented, as a third added: "Please see her! Please meet her! She is perfect and her age is perfect. Not a puppy you need to train and not too old to worry about." The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that senior dogs have just a 25 percent adoption rate, compared to a rate of 60 percent for younger canines and puppies. There are benefits to getting an older dog, however, with the ASPCA pointing out they have grown out of bad puppy habits, already have basic training and may be more likely to settle into a new home, and their personality has already been established. In Peanut's case, multiple agencies are also helping her get adopted: Benny's Buddies and Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers are covering her entire adoption fee, and Dolly's Dream will provide toys, treats and supplies "to help her settle into her new home," Pechin said. Anyone interested in Peanut can visit the rescue's website and submit an adoption application, or visit the kennels in person, which open every day at 11 a.m. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Cat Who Lost All She Knew Hides in Shelter Tree, Hoping Someone Sees Her
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 4-year-old cat named Ivy is quietly waiting for someone to notice her. But tragically, the very thing she does to feel safe is also the reason potential adopters keep passing her by. According to a Facebook post shared by the Humane Society of Broward County in Dania Beach, Florida, Ivy is "learning to navigate shelter life after spending her whole life in a loving home." However, "no one is noticing her because she's always hiding in her cat tree," states the July 1 post, which has garnered 4,200 likes. The shelter's digital marketing manager, Kaitlin Pechin, told Newsweek: "Ivy came to us after her previous owner had to leave for university and couldn't bring her along," Shelter staff describe her as a cat who "picks and chooses when she wants to play or cuddle, but when she does, it's so sweet." Two screenshots from the viral video showing a close up of Ivy's face and the cat sitting in her tree. Two screenshots from the viral video showing a close up of Ivy's face and the cat sitting in her tree. Humane Society of Broward County "Like many cats facing a major life change, Ivy was understandably shy at first. She finds comfort in her cat tree, and still spends a lot of time in it, especially when new people are around," Pechin said. "But with a little time and patience, she warms up quickly and shows off her affectionate and playful side. The staff has come to know her as gentle and sweet-natured, and she loves soft toys, treats, and petting once she feels safe. She will even curl up in your lap and purr." Ivy's behavior isn't unusual for cats trying to cope in a shelter environment. Research from the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno in the Czech Republic explains that cats can find many aspects of shelter life stressful. Being confined in cages, living near unfamiliar cats, being handled by staff, and constant changes in routine all add to their anxiety. Interestingly, research shows that shelter cats may actually crave human interaction even more than typical pet cats, so not having enough calm, predictable contact with people can also be stressful for them. Cats often enjoy playing with humans using toys and seem to prefer these interactions. Stress in animals is normal up to a point, but when it becomes excessive or persists for too long, it can harm their health and well-being. While many cats do begin to relax over time—often adjusting within two to five weeks—some never adapt fully and can remain chronically stressed for much longer. Ivy has now been at the shelter for over a month, and staff are urging adopters to see past her shyness and recognize her true, loving nature. "She may be shy at first, but it doesn't take long for her gentle, affectionate personality to come out," said the post. Many Facebook users have shared their hopes that Ivy soon finds a forever home, while also opening up about their own heartfelt experiences. One commenter said: "I adopted a cat from the shelter where I volunteer. He hid in a cat tree for a month. That is why I adopted him. When I got him home, it took about [three] weeks for him to come out of his "shell" he now runs the house and makes me laugh all the time. The most loving and funny cat I have ever known. Please, someone. Adopt this beautiful kitty. You won't regret it!" "I was in there yesterday. She came out to me, loved being pet and given treats. Then she and here roommate, Kallie started playing in and out of the cat tunnels in the room. I believe she and Kallie came in together, they are both sweet cats," said another user. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet that you'd like to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Tears As Shelter's Longest Resident Dog Watches the Puppies Being Adopted
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An Instagram reel from the Humane Society of Broward County has left viewers heartbroken as a dog sadly looked on to other puppies getting adopted. In the video, the adult shelter dog named Pretzel watches another dog get adopted while she remains overlooked. Since the video was posted, it has received 16,000 likes and dozens of pleas from Floridians to adopt the dog. "It's just not fair," the Humane Society captioned the reel. "Beautiful girl Pretzel has been waiting for a forever home for almost three months and is officially our shelter's longest resident. Sadly, this is the reality for many adult dogs. While the puppies get adopted quickly, our wonderful adult dogs can wait months to find a family." Stock photo: A dog in a kennel looks outside. Stock photo: A dog in a kennel looks a 3-year-old mother dog, carries a particularly sad past. She was "given up" after raising her puppies for her owner, the caption stated. Described as "gentle [and] a little shy at first," Pretzel is "still trying to understand that people can be kind." Once she feels safe, though, they added that her "true personality shines," and she is playful and affectionate. Her favorite things? Belly rubs, treats, water and taking long sprints outside. "[She] just wants to be part of a family again," the Humane Society concluded. "Pretzel is ready to start over. She's ready for a home where she can feel safe, loved and never left behind again." How Did Viewers React? The sight of Pretzel watching younger, more easily adopted dogs struck a chord with Instagram users. Many expressed overwhelming sadness for overlooked adult dogs compared to puppies in shelters. "I'm so insanely thankful for the workers and volunteers at shelters, because it must wreck their hearts to see these angels everyday getting passed over," one person wrote. Another, dreaming of a grand rescue, shared, "My goal is to buy a house in the ranches so I can adopt them all." One comment highlighted Pretzel's past as a mother. "This broke my heart cause you see she's had litters of puppies, and she must feel so used," the commenter wrote. "Being somewhere where it's a constant reminder of your mistreatment is so heart breaking. Probably has trauma seeing puppies carried away from her as well." The plight of adult dogs like Pretzel is a common challenge in shelters. While puppies often find homes quickly, adult dogs, despite often being house-trained and having established personalities, tend to wait longer. As one commenter pointed out, Pretzel is the "perfect age." "Puppies are a lot of work," they wrote. "Don't get me are worth it, but not everyone has the time or patience to train a puppy. We adopted an adult dog years ago, and she was the most amazing dog. Please someone give this beautiful dog a chance!" Despite the widespread emotional outpouring and expressions of interest on the initial post, there has been no update on Pretzel's adoption status. Newsweek reached out to @humanebroward for comment via Instagram.
Newsweek
03-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Shelter's 'Most Frightened' Dog Couldn't Cope—Then Someone Saw Her
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A shelter dog, dubbed the Humane Society of Broward County's "most frightened" resident, has been adopted after footage of her shaking with fear went viral on TikTok. "The scared dog Isabella was adopted soon after we posted the video," Cherie Wachter, vice president of marketing at Humane Society of Broward County, told Newsweek. "Someone drove three hours from Daytona Beach, Florida, to Fort Lauderdale [where Humane Society of Broward County is based] to adopt her." The short clip from May 25 captured Isabella, a 1-year-old female Labrador, shaking from panic and distress in the corner of her kennel. The video filmed a member of staff approaching her gently, waiting on the other side of the kennel for Isabella to feel comfortable enough to come toward her. An overlaid text on the video read: "Our shelter's most frightened hides in the corner and shakes with we go slow with she finally feels safe she just wants to be close." The post's caption explained that the canine had been brought to Humane Society of Broward County from another shelter, so very little is known about her past. Despite her turbulent background, "shy" Isabella was said to walk well on a leash and get on well with other dogs. Staff at the shelter also made clear that she has had surgery on one of her eyes, which is being treated by the shelter's clinic. "Isabella needs out of the shelter in order to thrive," the caption read. "She is available for both adoption and fostering." To the delight of those who cared for Isabella at the shelter, and her new audience online, the canine was quickly adopted after her new owner spotted the viral video on TikTok. The team shared the happy news in a comment under the post. "UPDATE: Isabella has been adopted!" the message read. Viewers who had grown invested in Isabella's story rushed to share their joy at the news. "Late to the post but so, so happy she was adopted," one viewer said, while another added: "Thank God." The Humane Society of Broward County is non-profit shelter in Broward County, Florida, that has been advocating for and improving the lives of animals since 1944. The shelter rescues and rehomes over 4,000 homeless pets each year. Stock photo: A black Labrador stands behind a fence and looks into a camera lens. Stock photo: A black Labrador stands behind a fence and looks into a camera lens. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
