10
Loading video...
By Alyce Collins
Senior Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A terrified rescue dog who was due to be put down within a matter of days has been given a lifeline after a woman stepped forward to foster him.
Stitch, a bully mix, wound up at Fulton County Animal Services after being surrendered by his owners due to financial problems. Suddenly, he was in search of a new home through no fault of his own. Given the widespread overcrowding that shelters across the country are facing, Fulton County Animal Services were forced to make the difficult decision to add Stitch to the euthanasia list.
Unfortunately, this is a reality for approximately 607,000 animals a year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Read More on Pets
Thankfully, Stitch's life was spared when Abigail Hester, 24, saw his picture on the website. She told Newsweek that she "knew he was the one" she wanted to help as soon as she saw his face.
...
Having fostered eight dogs before Stitch, Hester is no stranger to helping animals in need.
"I knew I was going to foster a dog that week, so when the list came out, I looked and immediately picked him out without knowing anything about him," Hester said.
She continued: "My first time seeing him in person he was terrified. He had to be carried around the shelter because he was too afraid to walk. He did come up to me for affection though, and I could tell he wanted to be able to trust so badly."
When Hester arrived to collect Stitch, he was so nervous and moved at a "snail's pace." He seemed reluctant to walk out of the building, and a volunteer even had to encourage him to follow Hester to her car.
"You could tell he had no idea where he was going, the shelter had become his home," Hester said.
Thankfully, Stitch has improved so much since that moment, and his personality is beginning to shine through. While Hester isn't certain how long she'll be fostering him for, she's more than happy to open her heart and her home to this sweet pup.
"He's a really good dog. I can tell he's never been in a house before because he's very unsure indoors and is more confident outside. He loves stuffies and blankets, anything cozy is his favorite," Hester said.
"Stitch is getting through his decompression, getting over a cough, and needs to be neutered, so he has a few weeks before he'll be good to go for adoption," she continued.
Hester shared a video on TikTok (@abigailhester_) showing the moment she took "the most fearful dog" out of the shelter and saved him from the euthanasia list. The video has melted plenty of hearts online, leading to more than 28,900 views and over 4,600 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
Sharing her foster experiences online has been overwhelmingly positive for Hester, who says it's "the most supportive community" to be a part of. Not only does she hope to show just how loving bully breeds can be, but Hester also wants to inspire others to consider fostering or adopting an animal in need of a forever home.
There are many more dogs, just like Stitch, who wind up on the euthanasia list without having done anything wrong.
"There's always negative comments about bully breeds, but I try to ignore it because until you've saved the life of one, you don't know the love they have to give," Hester told Newsweek.
"We are always need fosters and adopters. There are big, small, fluffy, old, hiking buddy dogs, couch potato dogs and puppies. Also fostering is free and such an amazing way to get involved. It's an amazing way to dip your toes in and be able to help and keep it low commitment."
With over 100 comments on the TikTok video so far, many social media users have praised Hester for saving Stitch's life from being cut short.
One comment reads: "Thank you a thousand times for all you do to save them."
Another TikTok user wrote: "Can't wait for an update on this sweet baby."
While another person replied: "Stitch couldn't have asked for a better foster."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@newsweek.com and they could appear on our site.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines