Dog at Shelter for Over 730 Days ‘Overlooked So, So Many Times’

A dog in Michigan that’s been waiting for a forever home for over two years has broken the hearts of viewers on Facebook.

Sharon, the longest resident at the Oakland County Animal Shelter in Pontiac, which is just outside Detroit, has been at the facility for over 730 days since arriving as a stray on New Year’s Eve in 2021, Bob Gatt, a manager at the shelter, told Newsweek.

“She has been overlooked so, so many times. She takes a while to warm up to new people and isn’t a fan of other dogs, but there are so many wonderful things about her that overshadow those other qualities,” Gatt said. “She just needs the right adopter who will make her feel loved and safe.”

Each year, 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters, with an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Petwatch’s Shelter Watch Report found.

About 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.

Living in shelters can have a profound effect on a dog’s well-being, according to a March 2019 study in the online journal PeerJ, where researchers investigated the impact of shelter environments on dogs.

The study’s findings indicated that the stress of living in a shelter can significantly affect a dog’s welfare and highlighted the importance of finding loving homes for these canines as soon as possible.

One of the greatest stressors for dogs in animal shelters is social isolation. Research has shown that “human interaction reduces cortisol [a hormone regulating stress] in shelter dogs, with the possibility that longer periods of interaction may yield greater effects,” the study said.

According to a Facebook post shared in January by the Oakland County Animal Shelter, Sharon “calms down and loves to hang out the longer she is away from the kennel environment.”

Gatt said Sharon is “super playful” once she knows you. With a love for walks and car rides, she would make a good hiking buddy and will keep you “endlessly entertained,” he added.

Sharon requires time, patience and a routine and “just needs to feel safe and connected,” the Facebook post said in January. A home with no other dogs and low traffic would make things easier for her, it added

The shelter is hoping for the right owner to fall in love with Sharon and her “quirky personality and huge heart,” Gatt told Newsweek.

“While Sharon doesn’t seem to mind living here with us, we know in our hearts that it’s not fair that a sweet dog like Sharon should be waiting that long for her forever home to come and find her,” he said. “She is not perfect, but she needs someone who can teach her how to be loved and settle into a forever home.”

Sharon’s story has moved users on Facebook Batgrl Erin wrote: “SHARON. You’re Furever home or foster is out there!”

Laura Smolak said: “Prayers for a furever home.”

Amy Barris wrote: “How can anyone pass this beauty up. If I didn’t have 2 already I would scoop her up.”

Denise Juarez said: “Oh she’s precious!!!”

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