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Anders Anglesey

By Anders Anglesey

U.S. News Reporter

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A scared dog, who was filmed hugging an animal shelter worker's leg after being abandoned, has found a new home in time for Thanksgiving.

Mixed breed Andy Cohen, estimated to be between one and three, was brought to the Tift County Animal Shelter (TCAS), in Tifton, south-central Georgia, on November 1.

Cohen, who shares the same name as the talk show host, and three other dogs were surrendered to the shelter by his previous owner after he took on a job that would require him to be away from home for long periods of time.

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"The owner stated he was going back on the road as a truck driver and could no longer keep his four dogs," TCAS rescue coordinator Leah Robbins told Newsweek.

Andy Cohen hugging an employee's leg

...

"They were quite heartbroken when they came to the shelter, all huddled together, scared. Andy Cohen was timid, crying like you saw in the video and I'm sure, feeling abandoned."

Cohen's timidity was evident in a viral November 10 TikTok video, which can be seen here, where he appeared scared as he whimpered and hugged the leg of a TCAS shelter employee.

In the clip, Cohen held onto the employee's leg and looked into the camera as the shelter worker stroked his head.

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, there are numerous signs that could indicate that your dog might be feeling stressed, which include:

Cohen was moved to TCAS's sister shelter, Woldo's Rescue Pen, an animal rescue in New York City, a few days after the video was filmed.

Thankfully, Cohen will spend Thanksgiving with a loving family following his adoption over the past weekend. "We wanted Andy Cohen to have a new start with a family who loves him," Robbins told Newsweek.

Pets in U.S. Shelters

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. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet "Shelter Watch Report" found.

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.

Online Reaction to Video

Since being shared on TikTok, the clip has attracted an estimated 32,600 views and received more than 5,900 likes.

Many of those who commented on the video praised people who foster dogs from shelters and also shared sympathetic views about Cohen.

AM said: "This beautiful soul will give you so much love and happiness for his forever-loving home."

User1571 added: "Let's go NYC. Millions of people living there. I know a handful have some space for a pup in need. Fostering is awesome and temporary."

Darla Bershok posted: "What a very sweet angel. He wants love and attention. Hope he gets a good loving home."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

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