After 683 days of being in an animal shelter, a dog named Yankee finally found his happy ending. Yankee first arrived at the Saginaw County Animal Care & Control Resource Center as a stray. He stayed at the shelter for a year before his original owners came forward. However, his family returned him to the shelter as their life changed and he no longer fit into their lifestyle. For nearly another year, Yankee remained at the shelter, becoming the longest resident that the shelter had seen in its history. Despite his upbeat personality, he struggled to attract adopters, possibly due to his size and strength, which intimidated some potential adopters.
Yankee became a favorite among shelter employees and volunteers who worked hard to keep him active and social. They took him on walks, provided him with toys, and ensured he received proper enrichment. However, despite their efforts, he continued to be overlooked by potential adopters. Finally, in March, a volunteer’s friend stepped up to adopt Yankee, providing him with a forever home. The shelter celebrated his adoption with a proper send-off. Workers and volunteers lined up along the hallway, cheering and clapping for Yankee as he made his way out the door. The video of his send-off was shared on the shelter’s Facebook page, garnering appreciation and support from viewers.
When an animal gets adopted at the shelter, they go through a ritual called “getting dressed,” where they receive a special collar or bandana and a goody bag. Usually, only a few people are present for this process, but when Yankee was adopted, the shelter held an adoption event, with 20 to 30 people present to bid him farewell. Despite the initial nervousness of sending him off, shelter director Rachel Horton was reassured after hearing that Yankee was settling well into his new home. He was seen relaxing, snuggling, and making himself at home, climbing on the furniture and enjoying his new surroundings.
The heartwarming story of Yankee’s adoption touched the hearts of many on social media. The video of his send-off received over 2,900 likes and 164 comments, with viewers expressing their joy and appreciation for Yankee finding his forever home. Comments praised the shelter for the love and care they provide to animals in their care and congratulated Yankee on his new beginning. The adoption serves as a reminder of the importance of adopting animals from shelters and giving them a second chance at a happy life. Yankee’s story is a testament to the dedication and compassion of the shelter staff, volunteers, and adopters who work together to ensure that every animal finds a loving home.
