7 Ridiculous Reasons Dogs Were Returned to Shelters—You’ll Be Furious!
Imagine being a rescue dog and finally finding a forever home, only to be returned to the shelter for a reason you can’t understand. Trauma, confusion, and betrayal run through these dogs’ minds—what could they have done wrong? Why does no one want them?
You might imagine that dogs are returned to shelters for unmanageable energy levels, showing aggression, or displaying behaviors beyond the owner’s capacity to manage. This is true to an extent, as a lack of preparation, experience, and knowledge of dog ownership is a common reason for shelter returns. However, many dogs are returned for even more silly, superficial, and frankly selfish reasons.
Animal Friends of the Valleys—an animal shelter in Wildomar, California—shows just how ridiculous some of the reasons people surrender pets can be in this video featuring some of their adoptable dogs. You’ll be shocked at how simple and solvable the reasons these dogs were surrendered are and discover how important it is to thoroughly think through becoming a dog owner if any of these reasons resonate with you.
1. Bones
Bones was surrendered to Animal Friends of the Valleys after causing damage to a fence. Bones wants nothing more than to please his humans and has a gentle, affectionate demeanor, but he’s also a one-year-old Hound/Shepherd mix with energy that has to come out somehow. Sometimes, things get damaged when you have a dog—if you can’t accept that, you shouldn’t be a dog owner. Now Bones is looking for a family that will give him the play time and exercise he needs, and appreciate how loving he is!
2. Mario
Mario was returned to the shelter after his family moved to a new home that banned Pitbulls. Mario quite literally did nothing, he just exists under the “Pitbull” label, which automatically disqualifies him from living anywhere with breed-specific legislation or bans. Sweet Mario is only a year old and so confused, now he needs a family that is dedicated to protecting him from unfair labels and stereotypes.
3. Willow
Willow is just barely one year old, but her humans returned her to the shelter for not being house-trained yet. Having originally come from a shelter, this beautiful Hound/Shepherd mix never had consistency as a puppy and wasn’t given potty training during that critical period. Her adopters didn’t have the patience to teach her themselves, so they gave up and returned her. Now, Willow needs someone who understands that dogs don’t learn overnight, and will see all of Willow’s amazing qualities like her gentle energy.
4. Zaina
Three-year-old Husky mix Zaina was returned to the shelter because her humans were moving and didn’t want to bring her along. Now, Zaina needs a family that prioritizes her and can commit to caring for her as long as she lives, not when it’s most convenient for them.
5. Lucy
Lucy is still just a puppy at 11 months old, but she has already been adopted and returned to the shelter. The people who surrendered her said they couldn’t take care of her anymore, which is sadly not uncommon in the case of adopted puppies. Lucy needs a family that understands that puppies grow up into dogs and that adopting a puppy means committing to a dog through every stage of life.
6. Cheeto
Cheeto is yet another dog who was returned to the shelter because his humans were moving. Around a year old, Cheeto is playful, friendly, and loves going on walks—he just needs someone who will take him with them everywhere and commit to making him a priority as a member of their family.
7. Blueberry
Blueberry was returned for being “too energetic,” but this sweet boy just loves to play and is strong on a leash! At two years old, Blueberry likes to be active, but he’s just a friendly pup who likes to be involved, and his perfect humans will love doing things and playing with him.
To adopt any of the dogs featured above, visit Animal Friends of the Valleys in Wildomar, California.
