Dog finally adopted after 500 days in shelter was returned a week later — now he’s looking for a new home

It’s the best day of any shelter dog’s life when they finally get adopted, but sadly it doesn’t always work out. Sometimes dogs are surrendered back to shelters, leaving the dogs confused and wondering what happened to their home.

That was the case for one dog, who was finally adopted after 500 days in the shelter only to be returned a week later. But now, he’s looking for another home that will love him forever.

Drogo, an American pit bull, arrived at the Austin Animal Center in March 2022 after his owner was evicted, according to Newsweek. Though he was a sweet and house-trained dog, he was in the shelter for over 500 days.

When he finally got adopted last month, his carers all thought Drogo finally got the happy ending he deserved — but sadly, it wasn’t meant to be.

Just a week after Drogo left, he was returned to the shelter. Staff say Drogo “nipped” his new owner so they brought him back.

“We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly,” a shelter employee wrote on TikTok. “He was one of the longest stay dogs at the shelter and now he’s back again. He’s devastated. It’s not fair.”

@goodboygonehome

We are all crushed that Drogo was returned to the shelter so quickly. He was one of the longest stay dogs at the shelter and now he’s back again. He’s devastated. It’s not fair. #austinanimalcenter #austinanimalshelter #longstay #adoptme #pitbulllove #pitbullsoftiktok #returned #shelterdog

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It’s never easy for dogs to find themselves back at the shelter after seemingly being adopted, and Drogo has taken the rejection poorly: he has been stressed and upset and barking a lot.

“He seems bummed to be back at the shelter. There hasn’t been any interest,” Kelsey Cler of the Austin Animal Center told Newsweek.

The shelter is now trying to find Drogo another home, but they fear adopters might be biased against him given his breed and color. “Being a black pit bull mix is two things not in his favor,” Cler said. “We think it really comes down to black dogs not being chosen as often as other colors.”

Drogo would be ideal in a home with no other pets that will give him time to compress after being in the shelter for so long. He is available for adoption with no fee, or for fostering.

If you are interested in adopting Drogo, you can reach out to Austin Animal Center and find more information on his adoption page.

It’s always heartbreaking when adopted dogs get returned to the shelter, but we hope that next time is the charm for sweet Drogo and he finds a forever home soon! ❤️

Please share this story to spread the word and help Drogo find a home!

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