Summary
A young pit bull named Rocky was returned to a New York animal shelter after being adopted, due to his owners' inability to care for him. Despite the care he receives at the shelter, Rocky is struggling and seeking a new home. The situation highlights challenges faced by animal shelters in the U.S., which are often overcrowded.
Key Facts
- Rocky is a 1-year-old pit bull terrier mix who was originally found as a stray near a train station in New York.
- Local police rescued Rocky, and he was adopted two weeks later, but returned to the shelter approximately a year later.
- The shelter reported that Rocky was returned through no fault of his own, as his previous owners could not meet his needs.
- Animal shelters across the U.S. are facing high occupancy rates, with 2.8 million dogs and cats entering shelters in the first half of 2025.
- Large dogs face longer stays in shelters, with adoptions for large dogs decreasing by 9 percent compared to the previous year.
- The median wait time for dogs in shelters is now 47 days.
- The shelter describes Rocky as needing a quiet home and a patient owner, preferably with children over age 10 and other dogs.
- Rocky is looking for a family experienced with dogs who can help him adjust and overcome his anxieties.
