The U.S. is known as a pet-loving nation, with 70% of households owning a pet. An incredible 69 million households own a dog, while 45 million own a cat.
Other households own fish, birds, and different kinds of small mammals, like hamsters or guinea pigs. However, the vast majority of pet owners have dogs.
Unfortunately, some households and families end up surrendering their pets to animal shelters.
Reasons for giving up a pet vary.
One of the most common reasons is that the owner or family members feel they no longer have time to take care of their pet correctly. Another common reason is the pet having behavioral issues that the family can’t handle.
For example, a dog behaving aggressively towards another dog in the same household.
This is why her former family brought shepherd-mix Maxine to the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter (SBAC) and left her there.
She was having issues with another dog at home, although you couldn’t tell that this was the case based on her sweet face.
Her former owners hoped Maxine would be adopted by another family who fit her personality and needs better.
“She was great with everyone in the home, but the other dog did not like her,” the volunteer coordinator of SBAC shared Melissa shared with The Dodo.
However, pet adoptions have declined this year compared to previous years of the pandemic. Shelters are reaching their maximum capacities, and when this happens, they have no choice but to euthanize some long-staying animals.
Maxine was one of those dogs eagerly waiting to be adopted by a new family.
The one-year-old dog was surrendered to the shelter in September 2022 and had not been adopted as of early December.
In the video shared by the shelter, you can see how excited Maxine is every time someone passes by her crate.
She reaches out her paws to touch anyone willing to stop by and play with her.
When the person puts their hands inside her crate to pet her, Maxine wriggles around, trying to lick the hands of her visitor or put her head under the hand for some pets.
The animal shelter posted on its Facebook account, “This beautiful dog is desperate for attention.”
While the staff spent as much time as they could with Maxine and enjoyed being with her, they wanted her to be adopted as soon as possible.
“Adoptions are free right now because the shelter is at maxed capacity. We’re hoping this will help her find her people.” Melissa added.
There are full shelters with dogs waiting to be adopted all around the country. Sadly, Maxine’s case is not an isolated one.
Fortunately, a couple of weeks after Maxine’s photo was posted on the SBAC account, and one day after The Dodo released a story on her, she was adopted!
Maxine’s photo was updated with the caption, “Maxine & Oso left together today!” together with a number of heart emojis.
We’re so happy Maxine finally has a home to call her own after being at the shelter for several months. We hope her new owners give her all the belly rubs and affection she sought while in the shelter.
There are many other dogs available for adoption at SBAC.
If it’s the right time to add a new member to your family, please consider adopting or fostering a dog and help give these animals a second chance at a happy life.
To see Maxine playing and holding hands with passersby, watch the video below!
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