A shelter from New York has broken hearts all over the internet after sharing the story of Rocky, a 3-year-old pit bull who still hasn’t found his forever home.
The post shared on Facebook in November, under the username Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, features a picture of Rocky with his head down, looking miserable as he sits in his kennel watching all the pups but him being adopted.
The heartbreaking photo comes with a caption that explains: “This 3-year-old handsome guy is losing hope in finding a home. He really needs our community’s support in spreading the word about him so his new family can find him.”
“Rocky first came to Lollypop Farm in October 2022 when his previous family was sadly evicted from their home and living in a motel where they couldn’t keep him,” said Lindsay Brewer, communications specialist at Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester. “He’s been adopted twice and returned since then along with a few adoption sleepovers (two-week trial periods) in between.
“He was most recently returned this past September and has had no luck since. He’s a great dog, but he would thrive in a certain type of home that may be more difficult to find. Rocky would be best as the only pet in the home due to behaviors we’ve seen at the shelter along with information we’ve received through his adoptions and sleepovers. We are also recommending he go to a home with adults due to his playstyle that may be too much for kids.”
The viral picture was taken when one of the shelter’s behavior staff was walking through the dog adoption hallway and happened to see Rocky sitting in a droopy posture, and it broke everyone’s hearts.
“That’s when we knew that we had to post it and really get this guy some much-deserved adoption interest. We are shocked with how viral the post has gone and are overwhelmed with our community’s support! We know Rocky will find his family soon,” she added.
According to Rescue Dog Home, pit bulls end up in shelters more than any other breed, and they are euthanized in the greatest numbers as well.
One in 600 pit bulls in shelters will find a forever home, according tot he website. Around 33 percent of dogs arriving in shelters are pit bulls
Each year 6.3 million pets are surrendered to U.S. shelters, which is an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across TikTok. It has so far received over 4,200 likes and 28,000 reshares on the platform.
One user, Shawn Michael, commented: “I LOVE Rocky so much!! He would love to find his forever home for the holidays!!” And Paula Hicks – Sowersby said: “Oh my heart!! Ill pay adoption fee if you can find him an amazing home. My house is too full. Poor baby!! But I’d 100000% cover his adoption fee if you can find him the best home ever.”