Dog Endured 1,000 Days In Shelter – Then Traveled 1,000 Miles To Find Her Happily-Ever-After
With animal shelters more crowded than ever before, it can be difficult to find shelter dogs like Sora their perfect match. Despite meeting visitors at the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California, Sora patiently waited for nearly 1000 days before she was finally able to start her life anew. Her journey to her forever home was long in more ways than one, but Sora, her rescuers, and her new owner are all grateful to see her thriving.
This is how she got her Happily Ever After, thanks to the selflessness of rescuers and kind strangers alike:
Nearly 1000 Days of Waiting
The staff and volunteers at Valley Animal Center had been sharing Sora’s story since she arrived at the shelter in the summer of 2021, but she had no luck locking down an adopter. She did, however, gain lots of new fans on social media after shelter volunteer Jackie began posting videos of her and other adoptable animals. People especially loved her gentle spirit and pleading eyes, and it’s hard to imagine how anyone could give up on a dog like her.
Her rise to stardom began in June 2023, but by the end of the year, she still hadn’t received any interest from Central California residents. In February 2024, she was adopted and returned within the span of one day–so what was the problem?
The four-year-old Pit Bull/Labrador Retriever Mix can be a very energetic and happy girl, but interactions with other dogs can also be hit-or-miss. This, combined with her large size, could make it especially difficult for her to find a foster or forever home. Just when things seemed like they were too much to handle, though, the right person submitted an adoption application.
Sora and Her Special Someone
Once an application is approved, there are still several steps to take, including the meet and greet. Usually, this is done in an animal shelter or close by, but that wasn’t possible considering that Sora’s adopter was several states away. Instead, the shelter had to figure out how to get Sora from Point A to Point B (the halfway point between the shelter and the owner) with minimal stress to everyone involved. It took an overnight road trip, thousands of dollars in donations from TikTok viewers, and more potty breaks than can be counted, but soon enough, Sora and the shelter director were arriving at the hotel.
That couldn’t have gone better! Sora was definitely eager to stretch her legs after spending so long scrunched up in the car, but she was equally as excited to meet her new owner. She even gave a big stretch, which only adds to the cuteness!
Because her owner had driven to the halfway point to meet her, it took a few days before Sora was settled in at home. But once she was, there was no stopping the ways she would blossom. With endless love and a newly-renovated yard, it wasn’t long before she was running as free as the wind and having the time of her life.
Even though this rescue dog was an absolute trooper in the car, it’s worth remembering that the true heroes are the animal shelter staff, volunteers, transport, and event workers. Even the TikTok viewers! Each and every one of them played a pivotal role in helping her get home, whether they donated to her rescue fund or shared the TikTok video that helped her get seen. In fact, this is a great reminder that some of the greatest things take time. Whether it’s making a painting, training or dog, or even simply meeting your new pet. Congratulations, Sora!
There are many dogs (and even cats!) at the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California, who are looking for their forever homes, just like Sora was. You never know who you’ll see!
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