Death Row Puppy 'Too Afraid to Move' After Months in Shelter
A 7-month-old dog facing euthanasia if he doesn't find a loving home soon is still waiting for his happy ending.
Black and tan German shepherd mix Reece has been at Riverside County Animal Control Shelter in California since September 30, 2023.
In dire need of immediate rescue, the 28-pound dog was found roaming the streets in Jurupa Valley before being impounded. Struggling to adapt to the shelter environment, Reece is showing signs of kennel stress after being there for so long.
Kerri S. Mabee, deputy public information officer at Riverside County Department of Animal Services, told Newsweek: "Reece was impounded at our shelter on September 30 after he was found roaming the streets. At that time, Reece was struggling to understand how to walk on a leash and was reluctant to have interaction with humans.
"As a pup, we were hoping to see Reece's behavior turn around. However, Reece's social skills appear to remain a challenge for him in the shelter environment at this time," she added.
The @savingriversideshelterdogs account on Instagram has sprung into action, sharing heartbreaking footage of Reece cowering in the corner of his kennel, clearly struggling with shelter life.
"Reece has completely shut down after being passed by for 50 days. He is so scared, he won't even move in the play yard. He is just a baby! Scared, alone, confused...We are begging somebody to save his life & give him the best life moving forward!," the volunteer-run page said.
Each year 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters, an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet 'Shelter Watch Report' found. Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
"He has been one of the longest stays," the person behind the @savingriversideshelterdogs account told Newsweek. "He is so scared and stressed, he is too afraid to move."
While his story has captured attention online, he hasn't yet found the person who would be willing to take him on. As a result, his fate is still uncertain.
"No wonder he's scared," said one commenter. "It's scary in there. He is a clever boy and knows he's in danger."
While another wrote: "Oh my goodness! Please let's help this sweet Reece."
Earlier this month another dog was rescued after being returned to a shelter in Texas and put on the euthanasia list.
Star was returned to the shelter for "peeing blood" at nine years old. With just days before her euthanasia was due, she was adopted by a loving new owner and is living her best life with her new adopter in Ohio.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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