This Puppy Overcame Starvation—Now He’s Looking for a Second Chance
Benji is a 9-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix, but while you might expect a muscular young dog just growing out of their puppy chunk, Benji is just skin and bones. Currently in the care of the Humane Society of Broward County in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Benji’s past is mostly unknown, but at just nine months old he has been through serious starvation and neglect.
The average 9-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier should weigh between 35–40 pounds, and while Benji is a mix, he should still be close to that size. Unfortunately, Benji only weighs 27 pounds and has a lot of growing and filling out ahead of him. He has been getting healthy, regular meals since entering the shelter system, but Benji needs a forever home that can help him continue to heal and grow.
Get To Know Benji—Could You Be His Forever Home?
Handsome Benji is still young and just 9 months old, so he has lots of puppy left in him. A sweet boy who hasn’t let his difficult past dim his spirit, Benji is happy, curious, and playful. He loves the volunteers and staff at the Humane Society and makes the most of every chance he gets to go outside and play—he has plenty of energy. Benji is tan with white markings and has adorable perky ears that flop when he runs and a tail that constantly wags!
@humanebroward Heartbreaking 💔🙏 Poor Benji has had a rough start to life 🥺 We don’t know the details of his past, but his body speaks of neglect 😔 This very friendly Staffordshire Terrier mix is 9-months-old and weighs only 27lbs 💔 He has a lot of growing and filling out to do, but all he needs is a loving home and all the yummy treats he can get! ❤️ Will you give him the love, care and patience he needs to thrive? 🙏 If you cannot adopt, please share his post 🙏 His forever family is out there somewhere ❤️ If Benji sounds like he might be a good fit for you, please fill out a pre-adoption application at www.humanebroward.com (link in bio) and come to the shelter to meet him. The shelter is located at 2070 Griffin Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL and opens daily at 11 a.m. If you have any questions, please call 954-989-3977 ext. 6. #rescuedog #shelterdog #adoptme #adoptdontshop #doglover #fortlauderdale #florida #dogvideos #video #bulldogs #doglife #staffy #dogs #dogoftheday #dogsoftiktok #dogshelter #animalshelter #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #staffylove #dog #bulldog #bullybreed #bullylove #pittiesoftiktok #pitbull #pittie #dogtok #bulldogsoftiktok #puppy #puppiesoftiktok ♬ original sound – Humane Society Broward County
All Benji needs is a forever home that will give him all the love (and treats) he didn’t have for the first half of his puppyhood. If you live in or near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and you’ve fallen for this sweet pup you can fill out a pre-adoption form for Benji, then meet him in person at the Humane Society of Broward County.
Caring For Dogs Who Have Been Starved & Neglected
Many dogs who have been starved, abused, and neglected struggle with things “normal” dogs do with no effort. Eating, for example, may be different for a dog that has been starved or deprived of food and water. Even after a dog has recovered physically from malnourishment, they can struggle with resource guarding, over-eating, or even refusing to eat.
Patience, creating a safe environment around food, and sticking to a regular feeding schedule can help your dog adjust to a life where they don’t have to defend themselves or their food and they can trust their human.
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