Shelter’s Longest Resident Spends 500 Days Waiting For A Family, Then Comes A Heartbreak

| Published on September 9, 2024

Drogo, an American Pitbull Terrier, spent over 500 days at the Austin Animal Center after being abandoned.

Despite being a staff favorite, he was overlooked for adoption. When a family finally took him home, he was heartbreakingly returned after just one week.

However, after a long wait and sharing his story, Drogo was adopted again, and this time, it looks like he’s finally found his forever home.

A Long Wait For A Loving Home

Drogo, an American Pitbull Terrier, ended up at the Austin Animal Center after his owner was forced to leave due to eviction. His owner promised to come back for him, but that day never came.

Source: Austin Animal Center

As the weeks turned into months, and then years, Drogo watched as other dogs found homes, while he remained behind.

Though everyone at the shelter loved Drogo, and he became a staff favorite, they knew he deserved more than the shelter could offer.

“I know you shouldn’t play favorites… but Drogo is my favorite. He thinks he’s a lapdog, and we haven’t had the heart to tell him otherwise. Drogo is house-trained, doesn’t bark much, and did well with my 6-year-old son. He’s a friend to every person he meets and quickly became a volunteer favorite. Drogo has been in the shelter for a year now, one of the longest stay dogs, and is so ready to have a home of his own”, said Jessica, a volunteer at the shelter.

After spending over a year at the shelter, Drogo’s longing for a family of his own only grew stronger.

Heartbreak After Hope

At last, Drogo’s big moment arrived when a family chose to adopt him. Everyone at the shelter was thrilled, and it seemed like his long wait was over.

Source: Austin Animal Center

But the joy was short-lived. Just a week after being taken home, Drogo was returned to the shelter.

The staff was devastated, and Drogo himself was heartbroken.

“We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly. He was one of the longest stay dogs at the shelter, and now he’s back again. He’s devastated. It’s not fair”, said a shelter worker on TikTok.

After waiting for so long, he wasn’t even given a real chance to adjust to his new home.

A New Beginning For Drogo

Determined to find him a loving family, the shelter didn’t give up.

They shared his story on social media, which reached thousands of people, but still, no one came forward to adopt Drogo.

@goodboygonehome We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly. He was one of the longest stay dogs at the shelter and now he’s back again. He’s devastated. It’s not fair. #austinanimalcenter #austinanimalshelter #longstay #adoptme #pitbulllove #pitbullsoftiktok #returned #shelterdog ♬ original sound – Dog Tales Rescue

Even after he celebrated his 4th birthday at the shelter and marked 550 days there, Drogo remained without a forever home.

The volunteers threw him a birthday party, all wishing for the same thing – that he would finally find a family to love him for good.