Rescue dog gets a mom after 243 days — shelter staff get overwhelmed at farewell

Not all goodbyes have to be a sad one. One such inspiring story surfaced on TikTok on June 7th, when @humanerescuealliance posted a clip of a rescue dog finally being adopted after 243 days. The video showcased an adorable bully mix dog, Farah, who is happily wagging her tail and bidding goodbye to the staff at the Human Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C. According to Newsweek, in October 2024, Farah was found running around aimlessly on the road when the Human Rescue Alliance rescued her. 

The Director of Public Affairs, Kelly Whittier, told Newsweek that Farah had instantly become everyone's favorite and already had a microchip indicating she was someone's pet. The shelter also wholeheartedly supported Farah and tried their best to get her adopted. The attempts not only included regularly posting her on social media and taking her to adoption events, but also doing photo shoots to increase her confidence so her story may gain traction online. However, Farah had to wait a little longer as she marked 243 days in the animal shelter.  

Whittier also told Newsweek how certain breeds and dog size play a big factor in their adoption, "Dogs like Farah — larger dogs with blocky heads and pittie-type features — often face longer stays in shelters due to lingering misconceptions about their breed, as well as the very real housing policy restrictions that face renters across the country." According to one ASPCA report under Dr. Weiss, pitbulls are the most common dogs to enter animal shelters. They are also the most commonly euthanized breed among other types. The 2014 report further showed how 25,142 pit bulls were euthanized, in comparison to 7,837 Labrador retrievers. On June 3rd, a woman who was looking for a loving canine companion instantly bonded with Farah and became her mom. 

The uplifting video received a lot of attention and positive response, resulting in more than 505,700 views and 90,400 likes so far. The caption of the clip also shared details about Farah's adoption story, stating, "Some shelter pets wait a little longer. Farah was one of them. She arrived at HRA on October 29, 2024, with a blood disorder that needed ongoing care. But she had something else too — a quiet spark, a gentle heart, and a whole team behind her." It further continued, "And finally, on June 3, her new mom did. Shelters like ours don’t just house pets — we become their extended families. We love them through recovery, root for them through the waiting, and rejoice when they finally go home. Farah, you’ve been so patient. And now, you’re so very loved. Congratulations to this beautiful family!" 

Countless users shared their support through comments as well. @alltoorena exclaimed, "This picture has me in tears. They were made for each other. I hope Frankie lives a long and beautiful life with her owners!" Another user, @gladessiren, wrote, "Please, the picture of Farah and her new mom smiling just broke me." @your_ivygrows expressed, "I’m so happy for her." @ilovefrogs0215 commented, "I just know she’s gonna be so loved by her mama."

Fortunately, more individuals are leaning towards adoption lately. According to another American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals report, in 2024, approximately 4.2 million shelter animals (including dogs and cats) were adopted into loving and caring homes. 

For more inspiring content, follow @humanerescuealliance on their TikTok account.