Sometimes, people get a little too particular when it comes to choosing a shelter animal. They decide that the way an animal looks is more important than finding a companion and providing them with love.
Unfortunately, that’s what has happened for Tug, a collie mix living at a shelter in the United Kingdom. Tug is a sweet boy. There’s just one thing about him: He has large, bat-like ears that have kept him from being adopted.
Tug has been at the shelter for about three months.
But people are put off by his appearance. What’s more, Tug is already 12 years old, and older dogs often aren’t adopted. People would rather have puppies that will be around for a long time to come.
“When he came in, Tug was in such an awful state,” said kennel supervisor Danni Holder. “His coat was badly matted that he had to be completely shaved. I suppose this has resulted in his unusual looks and large bat ears. It’s sad because he’s an absolutely wonderful dog, he’s old but has a real zest for life. He’s been with us for a few months now, but he hasn’t had any interest at all. Not a single visitor, phone call, email, or like on Facebook.”
Tug’s shelter caretakers love him.
Tug was abandoned in September 2018 and taken in by the Coventry RSPCA. But in the months since, there’s been no progress in finding him a “forever” home.
“On paper, he’s the perfect dog for many families,” Holder said. “He’s friendly, well-behaved, family-friendly, and dog-friendly. But no one seems to want him, and it’s heartbreaking. Tug really is the perfect pooch, so it’s strange that he’s had no interest at all. It could be because he has a bit of a strange look going on at the moment. Or maybe it’s his age. We would urge anyone thinking of getting a dog to come and meet him; he’s a lovely boy — he’ll pull on your heartstrings and win you over in no time at all.”
People have a lot of expectations when it comes to shelter dogs.
Unfortunately, Tug’s story isn’t unique. There are thousands of animals in shelters who wait years before being adopted. Some of them aren’t adopted at all. So, what is it that’s keeping people from adopting friendly and loving animals like Tug?
Despite a lot of success with pups getting matched to loving families, many myths persist about shelter animals. Some people believe that dogs end up in shelters because there’s something wrong with them. They think these dogs were abandoned because they were aggressive or too energetic or because they have a dark past and won’t do well in a family environment.
The reality is, most shelter dogs are regular dogs. They just want a loving environment and good care.
Age is another strike against them.
Many people want a cute puppy that they hope they can foster a relationship with over a long period. This means that many older dogs (and cats, too) are left to live out the remainder of their lives in shelters.
This is unfortunate because many people have found that adopting older animals leads to a fruitful and loving human-animal relationship. It might just not be as long as they want.
Senior dogs are defined as dogs who are seven years old or older. The average dog’s lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 13 years. Although senior dogs won’t be part of a family for the long haul, many people find they’re the perfect addition to their family.
Many senior dogs are loving and friendly. They also tend to have lower energy levels, which can make them good companions for older people or families with small children. Although it’s fun to have a puppy, it can be a nice change to have a calmer dog who isn’t going to tear up furniture or race around the house.
For some senior dogs, being adopted could save their life.
When shelters become overcrowded, workers have to decide how to make room. Unfortunately, senior dogs are often the first to be put down since they’re unlikely to get adopted. Taking an older dog home could mean they have a happy last chapter instead of meeting their end in a shelter.
As for Tug, age is only part of his problem.
Three months isn’t a long time to spend in a shelter in the long run, but he has more than one hit against him. Shelter workers can only hope that someone soon takes a liking to the affectionate pup and gives him a loving home.
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