Every single year, an estimated 6.5 million animals end up in a shelter located across the United States. Because there aren’t enough adopters or foster homes for them, approximately 1.5 million of these shelter animals end up being euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats).
Raylan was at a high-kill animal shelter where he desperately wanted a new furever home. Thankfully, before his time was up, Raylans’ new mom and dad picked him to become a part of their family.
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The affectionate pooch’s story isn’t all that uncommon sadly.
“He was going to be euthanized because they didn’t have space for him at the shelter.”
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An exceptionally smart dog, Raylan was trained to perform a wide array of tasks. He was taught to open the refrigerator and retrieve a beverage from there.
“It’s just crazy to me that there’s dogs like him that are out there in shelters. Nobody wanted him because he was too high energy and untrained – but clearly no one had tried to train him.”
He learned how to turn off the lights in a room and even raise foster kittens. Raylan’s mom quickly realized how amazing of a dog Raylan is and wanted to do more to help others, so she decided to open her home to kittens needing fostered.
“They were really, really young kittens. They were quite small, you know, mouse-sized. So I was a little worried he was gonna eat one. But it really worked out.”
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It turned out Raylan loved every single kitten brought into his home. He couldn’t get enough of them.
And every single kitten fell in love with him.
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It literally was a match made in heaven. If a new kitten was nervous or scared, Raylan’s presence seemed to calm down the kitten.
“I didn’t think he would like them that much. It starts with them sleeping together and then it progresses to them, you know, playing together and following each other around. His inner ‘mother’ came out I guess. I found out he liked cats when we brought our first foster kitten (Watson) home six years ago when Raylan was already three years old. He immediately just wanted to play with him and was so gentle and patient. Watson’s now our neighbor and they hang out frequently.”
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Even though many believe cats and dogs just don’t get along, Raylan doesn’t believe the hype. He adores the kittens that enter his home and even is a wee bit sad when they leave and head off to their furever home.
Raylan’s parents have shared the most endearing photos of their pup in action, doting upon adorable kittens. So far, Raylan has more than 26,000 Instagram followers.
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Now at nine years of age, Raylan has nurtured more than 60 kittens. He even helps clean them!
He plays with them and loves to wrestle. He also gently carries them around in his mouth.
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Raylan pines for the kittens when his home seems quiet. It just isn’t natural to Raylan for his home to be empty of kittens.
“After a few weeks of alone time, he starts to get sad if I don’t get new kittens and when new kittens come he’s always so happy and excited. New kitten day is his favorite day!”
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Raylan’s mom works with shelters to help foster kittens, but pays for their care out of her own pocket. She loves watching Rayland in action with his babies.
It takes less than a day for the kittens to latch onto Raylan and start following them around. He’s been known to give up his bed for his guests and truly enjoys taking naps together with his newfound pals.
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He’ll carry them around in his mouth and has bathed them with his own tongue. His adoration for the kittens is simply endearing!
Watch Raylan in action in the video below. He’s so sweet!
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