It may be hard to watch this viral video that shows the harsh reality of animal neglect. Harold was skin and bone when he was found wandering the streets in North Oshawa in Ontario, Canada. But now is thriving and just like any other puppy—thanks to his foster carer.
Kayleigh McGovern, a volunteer and team member at Oshawa Animal Services, decided to look after the emaciated dog who was too weak to even walk back in July. She documented his progress and shared a slideshow of images on her TikTok page.
Kathy Pittman-Feltham, the shelter manager told Newsweek: “Harold quickly captured all of our hearts and we were rooting for him to get healthy and find his forever home.”
In the viral video that has 791,800 views, @kayleigh_mcgovern added on-screen text to explain each image. She stated he spent the first three days in bed and he didn’t have the strength to empty his bladder.
She wrote: “We shared many cuddles, watched lots of shows, and most importantly he got lots of rest.”
One image shows Harold’s skeletal body as the on-screen text explains: “This picture is still so jarring to look at. He was examined at the vet for possible causes of his emaciation. The vets concluded the only thing wrong with him was that he was essentially starving to death.”
After a few days of tender love and care, Harold started to feel stronger and became playful. Now four months on, he is just like any other puppy.
Pittman-Feltham told Newsweek: “Kayleigh helped nurse him back to health and he was then adopted by a member of the community who is a second-time adopter from us.
“He is doing phenomenal and is the perfect picture of health.”
Harold’s remarkable transformation has touched the hearts of thousands of TikTok users. But sadly, his situation wasn’t a rare case.
Each year 6.3 million pets are surrendered to U.S. shelters, which is an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
Pittman-Feltham told Newsweek: “We see many sad cases come through our doors and the team is always excited to be a part of the next chapter in their story as most times we don’t have any information on their past.
“We are hoping Harold’s story shines a light on the many cases across the rescue world that need our help.
“Fostering saves lives and Harold is a perfect example of that!“
As Contractions Begin, a 63-Day-Old Pregnant Stray Dog Scratches at the Vet’s Door, Begging for Assistance
The sight of the pregnant dog wandering the empty streets, looking for help, is a heart-wrenching one. She had been abandoned by her previous owners and left to fend for herself, but now the time had come for her to give birth. As her contractions intensified, she knew she needed help to bring her puppies into the world safely.
In her search for assistance, she stumbled upon a nearby resident’s house, and she immediately knew she had found a potential lifeline. She began to bark and whine, hoping to draw attention to her plight. The resident, hearing the commotion, came outside to investigate and found the pregnant dog in distress. They knew they had to act fast to help her.
The resident brought the dog inside their home, creating a warm and safe space for her to give birth. As the hours ticked by, the dog labored tirelessly, bringing new life into the world. One by one, her puppies emerged, each one tiny and perfect. With each new arrival, the resident marveled at the strength and courage of the dog, who had endured so much to bring her puppies into the world.
As the days went by, the resident and the dog formed a special bond. The dog, grateful for the help and care she had received, showered her rescuer with affection and love. And the resident, moved by the dog’s resilience and strength, made the decision to give her a forever home. She had proven herself to be a loyal and loving companion, and she deserved nothing less than a life filled with love and comfort.
The story of this pregnant dog is a testament to the strength and resilience of animals in the face of adversity. Despite being abandoned and left to fend for herself, she never gave up hope, and she found help when she needed it most. Her story also highlights the power of compassion and kindness, and the incredible bond that can form between humans and animals.
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