Saving Abilene Animals is a group of volunteers that network with shelters in Abilene, Texas in order to raise awareness about animals that need adopting from the Abilene Texas City Shelter. And for weeks they’ve been posted the sad story of Henry, a long-time resident.
Henry is a handsome 2-year-old Labrador mix that no one seems to want.
No explanation.
As far as anyone knows, his only real issue is that he doesn’t care for other dogs and needs to be an only pet. And yet somehow the furry boy with the pleading eyes has been languishing in the shelter for over 4 months.
“He showed some aggression towards the other male, unaltered dogs in the play yard, so a meet and greet is a good idea if you have other dogs. Otherwise, he was a very sweet and well-behaved boy,” a volunteer said.
He was brought in on May 29, 2020 and weighs 51 pounds. Volunteers from Saving Abilene Animals have been visiting him frequently and trying to get potential adopters interested but it appears opportunities keep falling through.
Of course, this kind of thing happens every day around the country, but even though Henry’s gone viral, he remains without a home. Volunteers say they’ve never even heard him bark.
Abilene’s most unwanted dog.
Animal lovers have raised over $1,000 for a rescue to take him in, but he’s been overlooked in that respect as well. The sad fact is that no one seems to want to give Henry a chance.
There are no medical issues or history of violence standing in the way of adoption – it’s just that he’s been overlooked, despite being gentle towards humans.
In one of their many Facebook posts, Saving Abilene Animals said:
“He seems sweet, wasn’t barky, and took his bone very gently. Please share to help save Henry!”
In a recent post, volunteers pled with citizens to give Henry a chance.
“Reposting beautiful Henry, the pleading in his eyes sums up 4 months of living in a kennel 24/7 waiting day after day for someone to notice you but every single day no one comes. Henry has been up every time I go visit, even in unbearable heat until today.”
They continued:
“I have no idea what this gorgeous boy’s bark sounds like because I’ve never heard it, even when everyone around him is barking. The Shelter states that he doesn’t care for other dogs, that’s the only reason I can think of that he’s been passed by for months. There has to be a home out there somewhere for this sweet boy!”
Any time someone posts a photo of the sweet boy, he gets lots of compliments, but that’s a far cry from getting a new home.
People have been happy to pledge money and express outrage that no one wants him and no rescue has come to help rehome him, and yet he still sits in the kennel run, unwanted and unloved.
Is there no hope for Henry?
Sure, people outside of the Abilene area have expressed interest, but without anyone to arrange transport, it’s all talk. Neither the shelter nor the volunteer organization has the funds to get him to a new city or state.
And to be honest, every city has dogs like Henry. All one needs to do is go to their local shelter and take a look.
We wish we had a happy ending to share with you, but while Henry’s photo has been taken off the “available animals” page, there’s no other indication that he has found a home, despite being very loving.
He may indeed be going on his 5th month in the kennel or have been taken in by a rescue organization and still available for adoption.
If you know anyone in the Abilene area willing to adopt him or a labrador rescue shelter with the funds to take a chance on him, you can e-mail the shelter at [email protected] to see if he is still available.
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