Roxy, a dog who found herself back in the shelter a year after being adopted as a puppy, is still in search of a loving home more than 380 days after her return. Initially, the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California, was the only home she knew. “Roxy was born here,” shared Ruben Whitney-Cantu, the animal care adoption supervisor at the center. “Her mother, Nera, arrived heavily pregnant and gave birth to eight healthy female puppies shortly after, with Roxy among them.”
Roxy quickly became a favorite among shelter visitors and was soon adopted, leaving the staff hopeful she had found her forever home. Unfortunately, due to challenges coexisting with livestock, Roxy was returned to the shelter a year later. Adjusting back to shelter life was tough for Roxy. Accustomed to the freedom of roaming on land, she now found herself confined to a small kennel. “She had difficulty gaining weight, was stressed, barked, and would often spin in her kennel,” Whitney-Cantu explained.
Despite the shelter’s efforts to enrich the lives of their residents through activities like park visits, it couldn’t compare to the life Roxy once enjoyed. Yet, Whitney-Cantu believes Roxy possesses all the qualities to be an ideal companion for the right person. “Roxy thrives on human interaction,” he said. “She adores the staff and volunteers and enjoys car rides and playing fetch at the park.”
However, Roxy’s journey to find a new home continues, with her wait extending beyond 380 days since her return. The challenge of finding a new owner increases now that Roxy is an adult dog. Studies, such as one conducted by Priceonomics with data from Petfinder, indicate that while 95 percent of puppies find homes, the success rate drops to 80 percent for young dogs and 75.5 percent for adults.
Roxy’s prolonged stay in the shelter has not been easy on her. “After a year with us, it’s clear Roxy still faces mental challenges,” Whitney-Cantu admitted. “Despite our best efforts to make our pets comfortable and provide enrichment, it’s never quite enough. Roxy deserves a family, a yard to explore, and endless love.”
Whitney-Cantu has a good sense of the ideal home for Roxy. “An active family ready to engage with her would be perfect. Ideally, she should be the only pet to focus on her social skills,” he suggested. “While it’s been challenging to find compatible dog companions for her, she’s shown significant improvement, which must continue with training.”
For those interested in adopting Roxy, Whitney-Cantu’s message is simple: “Come and meet her.” He assures, “Roxy is incredibly sweet with people, winning over everyone with her eyes and smile. Her issues with other animals are addressable, and we’ve made progress. With a bit of work and love, Roxy will undoubtedly become a wonderful pet.”
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