Sid, a German shepherd mix, has been living in the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter on Long Island since 2017. Adopted twice but returned both times due to behavioral issues, Sid is still hopeful that his forever family will come forward. Despite incidents in his previous homes, Sid has shown progress at the shelter with the help of workers and volunteers who are assisting him with training and walking. Sid is taken out for a few hours a day to give him a break from shelter life, and the shelter is hopeful that he will be adopted before he reaches his 2,000th day there.
The shelter shared an Instagram post on July 21 highlighting Sid’s 1,244 days at the shelter. They described his progress and noted that he still needs a home that will continue working with him on his training. Sid would do best in an adult-only home as the only dog, where he can receive undivided attention. Videos of Sid are shared almost daily on social media as the shelter remains hopeful that he will find his forever home. The shelter has reached out for additional comment, emphasizing the importance of promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation to support animals like Sid.
Each year, millions of pets enter shelters in the U.S., with thousands coming in daily. Despite efforts to decrease euthanasia rates, around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized annually. The 24Pet “Shelter Watch Report” found an increase in the number of dogs and cats taken in by shelters between January 2022 and January 2023. This highlights the ongoing need for adoption campaigns and other initiatives to provide loving homes for animals in need, like Sid.
The Instagram video of Sid garnered over 12,000 views and numerous likes and comments from viewers offering their support. Many expressed optimism and encouragement for Sid’s future, urging him to hang in there and not give up hope. Some viewers shared their own experiences and expressed sympathy for Sid’s long wait for a forever family. The outpouring of support and engagement on social media demonstrates the impact that these stories can have in raising awareness and advocating for shelter animals like Sid.
Newsweek’s commitment to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections aligns with the efforts of shelters to promote adoption and provide care for animals in need. The publication’s invitation for readers to share funny and adorable photos or videos of their pets reflects a broader mission of connecting individuals through shared experiences and creating common ground. By highlighting stories like Sid’s, Newsweek contributes to the conversation around animal welfare and the importance of finding loving homes for shelter pets.
