A pitbull mix named Mako has touched many hearts on social media due to being brought back to the shelter for the third time as his foster couldn’t continue caring for him.
A TikTok post shared under the username goodboygonehome showed Mako howling as he struggles to come to terms with the sudden change, finding himself without a family again.
“Mako has been with his current foster, Lotta, for over a year since he arrived at Austin Pets Alive! He becomes very stressed and self-harms in the kennel, so we classify him as a special housing case, especially because of his age,” explained Sanchez.
The foster could no longer care for him due to an unexpected family emergency, leading Mako to return to the shelter in search of a new home.
“We are urgently seeking another foster or forever home for him to prevent him from returning to the shelter. He is great with people but would prefer a home without other pets (cats or dogs),” added Sanchez.
“He adores people and is eager to greet anyone who visits. He is trained to sit, shake, and lie down for treats and will even offer his paw without being prompted, knowing it’ll earn him a treat!
“Mako is a laid-back guy who enjoys napping due to his age, but he also loves playing with his stuffed toys and expertly uncovers the squeaker,” Sanchez continued.
“He is a gentle soul who deserves a loving family. He is low-maintenance at home and just needs a chance to prove what a good boy he can be.”
The Humane Society of Macomb reveals the common reasons for dog surrenders, including age, allergies, behavioral issues, cleanup, cost, moving, new pets, and shedding.
Each year, about 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters, averaging 17,260 per day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In January 2023, shelters took in 46,807 dogs and cats, up by 1,744 from January 2022, as per the 24Pet Shelter Watch Report.
Approximately 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized annually. Shelters aim to reduce euthanasia rates through adoption campaigns, spaying/neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
The video of Mako gained viral attention on TikTok, amassing over 171,600 views and 15,200 likes on the platform.