Rescued Dumped & Starving Dog Thought She Found Happily Ever After—Then Her Adopters Returned Her to tThe Shelter
Roo—a beautiful female Shepherd mix—arrived at Animal Friends of the Valleys in Wildomar, California, in November, 2023. Poor Roo was around a year old when a good samaritan found her roaming a field where she had clearly been dumped and left to fend for herself for some time. The good samaritan brought Roo to the shelter where she was evaluated and given a safe place to start recovering. Roo was emaciated and needed nutritious food and some TLC desperately.
Thankfully, she recovered enough that she was made available for adoption, and just one month later, Roo was adopted in December, 2023. As far as shelter staff knew, it was a great fit, and they bid sweet Roo farewell and wished her a happy life. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be, and Roo was returned to the shelter in September, 2024 around ten months after being adopted.
Roo’s former family cited lifestyle as their reason for surrendering Roo, a reason shelters are hearing more and more from people giving up their pets. Factors like uncertain work schedules, family expansion, divorce and housing insecurity all put pet ownership at risk, and sometimes force people to surrender their pets. Cats and dogs like Roo find themselves back in the shelter system, sometimes after years of being a beloved family pet. Now, Roo needs a new home that will give her the security she desperately needs.
Everything You Need To Know About Roo The Shepherd Mix
Roo is an almost two-year-old Shepherd mix (possibly with Great Dane) who weighs around 80 pounds. Roo is strong and athletic and could use some more practice walking on a leash and might need an owner who feels confident walking a strong large dog that pulls. Thankfully, Roo is also very intelligent and responds well to commands and corrections. She just needs an owner who is willing to spend time training and socializing her. Roo already knows the basics like sit, shake, and lay down!
Roo loves every dog and person she meets, including kids! Volunteer dog walkers at Animal Friends of the Valleys say she is “the best” and an amazing dog who deserves a home that will really appreciate her. Roo hasn’t been tested with cats, but could be compatible with the right introduction.
If you live in or near Wildomar, California, and Roo sounds like your dream dog you can apply to adopt her in-person at Animal Friends of the Valleys located at 33751 Mission Trail, Wildomar, California, 92595.
How “Lifestyle Changes” Land Dogs In The Shelter
You can’t predict the future, and even best laid plans can go awry. Most people never imagine themselves surrendering a pet to the shelter, but death in the family, financial struggles, housing insecurity, sudden illness or injury, and other major shifts to your daily life can change your ability to manage pet ownership drastically.
During periods of economic decline, shelter rates rise dramatically. During and directly after the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, animal shelter populations rose around 30% while adoption rates severely declined. The 2008 economic crisis produced even more devastating results with one humane society in Albuquerque reporting a 400% rise in admissions since 2007. When people struggle to feed themselves or make rent, their pets often suffer, too.
Of course, it doesn’t take a nationwide or worldwide recession or pandemic to create turmoil in the lives of pet owners. On a much smaller scale, life events like death in the family, divorce, or moving can create financial and logistical barriers for pet owners. If, for example, a couple gets divorced and moves to separate dwellings, there’s no guarantee those new homes will allow pets. If the primary caregiver of a dog passes away, there may be no one else in the family that can adequately care for the dog. Even something seemingly positive—like a new job—can cause pets to be surrendered with changing schedules and priorities.
How To Avoid Surrendering a Pet During Big Life Changes
Ideally, all pet owners would prioritize their pets and avoid lifestyle changes that impact their ability to care for their animals. In reality there is no way to 100% guarantee you’ll never need to surrender a dog, but there are some things you do if you find yourself in a position where you are struggling to care for them.
First and foremost, reach out for help. Most animal shelters and humane societies offer services like free or discounted veterinary care, pet food, and supplies. Friends or family may be able to help temporarily cover care costs for your pet, or you could visit a pet food pantry. There are always options to explore before you choose to surrender a pet, but sometimes surrender is the only ethical choice.
Even if you believe there is nothing that could make you surrender your pet, it’s still good to create an emergency pet plan. If you are in a relationship, discuss with your partner who would take the pets in the event you break up. It’s not a pleasant conversation, but it can save you and your pet a lot of stress if the worst happens. You can even add instructions for care for your pet to your will or trust to ensure your beloved animal is cared for in the event of your death.
