A video of a rescue dog’s heartwarming reaction upon being taken out of the shelter for the day has gone viral on TikTok, amassing millions of views.
Anna Kate Talley experienced a heartwarming moment when she had the opportunity to spend the day outside the shelter with Sickle, a 65-pound mixed-breed dog.
In a heartwarming video that has garnered over 1.6 million views, Sickle wasted no time in expressing her emotions as she immediately snuggled up with Talley on the couch in a tender and affectionate embrace. Adding to the touching scene, she captioned the video with these words: “[I] took a dog out of the animal shelter for the day and this is how she thanked me. It’s truly heartbreaking to have to return her.”
Sickle, a young cat believed to be just over a year old, is currently being looked after by the CARE Humane Society in Alabama.
“Sickle was initially brought to our shelter as a stray from the Auburn area. Once her mandatory 7-day stray hold was completed, she became eligible for adoption. It wasn’t until she had been with us for almost a month that her story started gaining attention on TikTok,” shared Jenny Warren, a representative from the CARE Humane Shelter, in an interview with Newsweek.
The heartwarming TikTok video quickly gained widespread attention, and viewers couldn’t help but express their delight at the adorable dog cuddle.
Kelly Jo Not Exotic expressed her disbelief, stating, “She is thinking she got rescued. I can’t.” Meanwhile, Lady31 suggested, “Can you keep her?? She seems like yours!”
Belle&Layla expressed their gratitude for providing a day of peace to someone. They acknowledged that it made a significant difference in that person’s life and emphasized how thankful she is.
In addition to receiving heartwarming comments, the viral video also led to a surge of interest in adopting Sickle. Adoption applications poured in from out-of-state, reflecting the widespread appeal of this adorable dog.
Sickle, fortunately, is currently in the care of a foster-to-adopt family, who intend to officially adopt her later this week. Warren expressed gratitude for the overwhelming interest in Sickle and extended well wishes to her and the prospective family.
In spite of Sickle’s heartwarming story, there continues to be a significant number of dogs in search of their forever homes throughout the country. According to Shelter Animals Count, a staggering 6.5 million animals found their way into U.S. shelters in 2023, marking a 4 percent increase in intakes compared to the previous year. By the end of 2023, there were an additional 117,000 dogs and cats within the animal sheltering system, in comparison to the same period in the preceding year.
In 2023, shelters had to euthanize approximately 850,000 animals, which marked a 15 percent increase compared to the previous year. To combat this distressing trend, shelters are actively working towards reducing euthanasia rates through various initiatives such as adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation efforts.
According to Warren, the enthusiasm surrounding Sickle and the possibility of her being adopted is both exciting and saddening. It serves as a poignant reminder that numerous other incredible dogs are still patiently waiting for their forever homes. Warren expresses the hope that this surge of attention will not only benefit Sickle but also raise awareness and support for the other remarkable pets under their care.
