Pinky, a former stray dog found pregnant by Chicago Animal Care & Control, has spent over 230 days at Border Tails Rescue (BTR), a no-kill animal shelter in Chicago. Founded by 20-year-old Harleigh Garcia in 2019, BTR has become one of the largest rescue centers in the region. Pinky was taken in by BTR, where she gave birth to a litter of puppies who have all found forever homes. However, Pinky is still in search of her own forever family, preferably in a home without other pets and with an active lifestyle.
Despite facilitating over 2,200 adoptions and assisting with international rescues in Puerto Rico and Mexico in 2023, BTR staff are still working to find a home for Pinky. The shelter has a strong medical focus and remains dedicated to the welfare of animals in need. Pinky’s situation is not uncommon, as many rescue organizations struggle to find homes for long-term residents like her. The shelter has been using social media, such as TikTok, to share Pinky’s story and raise awareness about the importance of adopting dogs in need of forever homes.
Reports from Newsweek have highlighted similar cases of long-term shelter residents, such as a pit bull mix in San Diego who remained unadopted for over two years. The drop in dog adoptions across U.S. rescue shelters has led to many shelters operating over capacity, further emphasizing the need for homes for these animals. The nationwide debate on pet adoption has sparked conversations on the importance of considering long-term shelter residents like Pinky when looking to adopt or foster a pet.
Pinky’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by rescue organizations in finding homes for dogs in need. Despite the successes of BTR in facilitating adoptions and assisting with international rescues, Pinky continues to wait for her forever family. The shelter remains committed to finding a loving home for Pinky, emphasizing the importance of supporting long-term shelter residents. Individuals interested in adopting or fostering a pet are encouraged to consider dogs like Pinky who have been waiting for a home for an extended period.
If you have funny or adorable videos or pictures of your pet that you would like to share, Newsweek invites you to send them to life@newsweek.com for a chance to be featured in the Pet of the Week lineup. Newsweek is dedicated to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground, including advocating for the adoption of shelter pets like Pinky. By raising awareness about the plight of long-term shelter residents, Newsweek aims to encourage individuals to consider giving a forever home to dogs in need like Pinky.
