Longest Shelter Resident Waited 500 Days To Be Adopted Only To Face Heartbreak
Drogo, a lovable American Pitbull Terrier, arrived at the Austin Animal Center after his owner was evicted.
The plan was that the owner would come back for him—but he never did.
So, Drogo waited.
The Dog No One Picked
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months.
Source: Austin Animal Center
While other dogs came and quickly found new families, Drogo was always the one left behind. Time passed, and he became the shelter’s longest resident.
Everyone at the shelter adored him. The volunteers knew how special he was and hoped someone would finally see it too.
Source: Austin Animal Center
“I know you shouldn’t play favorites… but Drogo is my favorite,” said Jessica, one of the volunteers. She described him as gentle, quiet, and great with kids. “He thinks he’s a lapdog, and we haven’t had the heart to tell him otherwise.”
Despite being house-trained and friendly to everyone, no one chose him.
A Glimmer Of Hope
Then, one day, Drogo finally got what he had been waiting for—a home. After so long, someone adopted him.
But just a week later, he was brought back.
Source: Austin Animal Center
The team at the shelter was devastated. After everything he’d been through, he wasn’t even given a real chance.
“We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly,” someone from the shelter shared on Tiktok. “He’s devastated. It’s not fair.”
And once again, Drogo was back in his kennel.
@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
Not Giving Up
Even though they were heartbroken, the shelter staff didn’t stop trying.
They made more videos, shared his story far and wide, and did everything they could to help Drogo find the home he deserved.
Source: Austin Animal Center
He turned 4 years old—and also reached 550 days in the shelter.
To lift his spirits, a volunteer threw him a small birthday party. Everyone had the same wish: that Drogo would finally find a home that truly lasted.
And then, something wonderful happened.
“It must have been a good luck charm because Drogo was ADOPTED today after 500+ days in the shelter,” the shelter shared on Facebook.
Source: Austin Animal Center
After so many ups and downs, Drogo now has a home again—this time, hopefully forever.
He spent far too long waiting and wondering if anyone would choose him. But now, he finally gets the chance to start over.
Sweet Drogo, may your days from here on out be filled with love, long walks, and everything your big heart has been waiting for.
