It’s tough to see a forlorn pup like Scooby, a 4-year-old Doberman pinscher, after he was surrendered by his owner to the Benton Franklin Humane Society in Kennewick, Washington. His former owner claimed he was “too loud” for the neighbors, leaving Scooby to grapple with a new, quieter life.
On September 8, TikTok user @villapurlah shared a heart-wrenching clip of Scooby that went viral, garnering over 5.9 million views by the end of the week. Previously accustomed to being outdoors and free, Scooby now spends 23 hours a day in a kennel, looking utterly lost.
The video shows Scooby nestled in his small bed, head hung low and a blanket clutched in his mouth—a coping mechanism in the noisy shelter. His downcast demeanor reflects the profound change he’s experienced, leaving him feeling quite alone.
Viewers were deeply moved by Scooby’s plight, flooding the comments section with over 18,000 messages of support. Many expressed their sadness, emphasizing that dogs are family members and deserve better treatment. One viewer noted, “I hope he finds a loving home,” while another resonated with his blanket-suckling behavior, calling it “so sad.”
In a glimmer of hope, a follow-up video revealed that three families had shown interest in adopting Scooby. The TikTok user encouraged viewers to keep their fingers crossed for him.
Animal Shelter Statistics
Each year, approximately 6.3 million pets find their way into U.S. shelters—about 17,260 every day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In January 2023 alone, shelters took in 46,807 dogs and cats, marking a rise compared to the previous year. Sadly, around 920,000 surrendered animals face euthanasia annually. Thankfully, many shelters are working hard to change this through adoption initiatives, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation efforts.