It’s always an amazing day when a shelter dog gets adopted, especially one that has been at the shelter for a very long time.
Recently, one shelter was thrilled after Sora, a dog who had been in their care for 900 days, was finally adopted — but celebrations turned to tears after the dog was returned to them just one day later 😢💔
Sora, a labrador-pitbull mix, has been in the care of Valley Animal Center, a no-kill shelter in Fresno, California, since she was surrendered by her owner two and a half years ago.
For years, Sora struggled to get attention from adopters, even though she was a sweet, loving dog. Valley Animal Center described her as a “sweet pup that has great energy.”
“She is a perfect fit for any household with an active lifestyle,” they wrote on Instagram. “Sora is the dog you want to take on long walks or bike rides; trust us, she can keep up.”
They also wrote that the long wait in the kennel has taken a toll on her mental health and made her anxious, and that the shelter was not an ideal place for such an active dog: “While we try our best to provide her with ample physical enrichment, it never seems to be enough.”
After 900 days, it finally seemed that Sora’s luck had turned around, as she was finally adopted from the shelter. Everyone was thrilled — but excitement turned to heartbreak when, just hours later, Sora was returned to them.
A TikTok video shows a heartbroken Sora back in her kennel, along with another shelter dog named Eros who was reportedly returned after a week.
“Their tails wagged with hope as they were welcomed into their new home,” Valley Animal Center wrote. “However, after a short period of time, these shelter dogs found themselves back in their kennels. They are still hopeful that somewhere out there is their furever home where they will be [cherished] as they deserve.”
It’s a heartbreaking situation for both the shelter dogs and the staff. Shelter workers say that dogs like Sora need some time to adjust to their new homes, especially after so many years in the shelter.
“Being in a shelter for many years affects the mental health of our adoptables and it is no different for Sora,” Sim Kaur of the shelter told Newsweek. “Sora did not get enough time to decompress in her new home and was introduced to new family members too quickly.”
While it was a heartbreaking setback, everyone is determined to find a true forever home for sweet Sora. In a follow-up TikTok video, the shelter said that while Sora has received a lot of press attention, she is still available and looking for a home.
They say that the ideal home for Sora is one where she is the only dog, with a family who can handle her active lifestyle. And of course, she needs a family will give her the time and patience she needs and deserves.
It’s so heartbreaking that after waiting so long to find a home, this dog was returned after just one day 😢💔 We hope she finds her true forever home soon!
Please share this story to help spread the word, and let’s find this dog the perfect new family!
