Severely Neglected Dog Mysteriously Appears on Woman’s Doorstep, Ignites Viral Social Media Rescue

When Rena Perkens Schlueter stepped outside her Orange, California home on May 9th, she never expected to encounter an unrecognizable  furry creature on her doorstep. Huddled on her porch was what appeared to be a matted, disheveled dog. As Rena approached, the terrified animal darted away, launching an extraordinary tale of rescue and transformation that would unfold over the next few days.

Severely Neglected Dog Mysteriously Appears on Woman's Doorstep, Ignites Viral Social Media Rescue

Just barely identifiable as a dog thanks to the enormous mats of dirty fur covering its body, the dog immediately took off, likely startled by Rena exiting her front door. After searching nearby for a while to see if she could find the little dog, Rena had to give up and head out to get a few things done. 

When she returned in the early afternoon, Rena was greeted once again by the little matted dog sitting on her porch. The difference was that this time the dog didn’t run from Rena—he ran at her!

Navigating a Fearful Dog In Pain

Severely Neglected Dog Mysteriously Appears on Woman's Doorstep, Ignites Viral Social Media Rescue

Rena tried to approach the little dog, but every time she got close he would snarl, bark, and lunge towards her.

“I tried to approach him, but I know he was very scared and probably in pain,” says Rena of her encounter with the fearful pup. “I really didn’t know what to do, and Animal Control was the only option. I called them and uploaded a picture and they deemed it an emergency. They had someone out within probably 20 minutes.”

When a dog you don’t know is in pain or experiencing such extreme fear that they become a bite risk, calling for professional help is almost always the right choice. Trying to handle a reactive dog on your own can be dangerous for you and the dog who might aggravate their injuries while trying to escape.

Severely Neglected Dog Mysteriously Appears on Woman's Doorstep, Ignites Viral Social Media Rescue

The Dog’s Story Went Viral 

Rena posted a photo of the dog on her doorstep in a Facebook group for residents of Orange. The post got hundreds of responses, everyone shocked by the state of the dog and wondering what would happen next.

While some people might be fearful of calling organizations like Animal Control, they can be an excellent resource in an emergency. The dog was brought to OC Animal Care where he needed to be sedated before getting groomed and having a medical evaluation. These kinds of extreme cases can only be handled by experienced rescuers and medical staff—thanks to Rena, this pup got the care he needed!

Severely Neglected Dog Mysteriously Appears on Woman's Doorstep, Ignites Viral Social Media Rescue

A New Beginning Right Around The Corner

It turned out the dog was only 12 pounds, and about 10 years old. After being groomed and looked over by the vet staff, the once unrecognizable dog was starting to look a whole lot better. With no microchip and no major health issues to clear up, this little guy was immediately posted for adoption. Shockingly, he found a forever home within just a day! 

Dog Is Adopted by Facebook Group Member

Deanna Briggs saw a photo of this sweet little pup on Facebook and just knew she had to have him! In under 72 hours, this little dog’s life changed from being filled with pain and fear to one bursting with love and comfort. Today, he looks like a completely different dog! 

Severely Neglected Dog Mysteriously Appears on Woman's Doorstep, Ignites Viral Social Media Rescue