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By Jack Beresford
Senior Reporter
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A much-loved senior rescue dog that was living on her shelter's equivalent of death row is still waiting to find her forever home.
The story of Katrina, the 8-year-old dog residing at the BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions in Houston, Texas, was first brought to light in an emotional video posted to TikTok by The Foster Adopt Rescue (FAR) Network. This is a channel dedicated to shining a light on euthanasia-listed animals across the U.S.
In the clip Katrina cuts a forlorn figure, sitting in the bed inside her enclosure, seemingly resigned to her fate. A spokesperson for the FAR Network told Newsweek that they were raising awareness of Katrina's because "her story can't end this way."
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"She has been a shelter favorite among staff and volunteers," the spokesperson said. "Somehow, we got her two extensions to the date she was due to be euthanized."
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Thankfully, there has already been a positive development for Katrina since the video was posted. Cory Stottlemyer, BARC Deputy Shelter Director told Newsweek that Katrina is now in foster care. "When animals are outcomed to foster care, they are completely removed from our shelter and are no longer at risk of euthanasia," he said.
Stottlemyer went on to explain the process required for anyone wishing to adopt her. "Katrina would need a local adopter who could meet our foster in person to outcome her permanently, or a rescue organization who would coordinate with the foster to take her," he said. "But as mentioned, she is safe in a foster home."
Stottlemyer was keen to clarify that all of the pets in their care need local adopters and fosters, even when someone out-of-state finds a rescue who may be able to coordinate transport.
Each year, 6.3 million pets enter 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.
The FAR Network says the situation is particularly difficult in and around Houston. "They are intaking between 60 and 100 a day," the spokesperson said. "These are a mix of owner surrenders, strays and euthanasia requests."
The FAR Network spokesperson said that, while Katrina arrived as a stray at the shelter, they "like to believe she once had a family" and think that she has all the necessary attributes to fit into one.
"She LOVES to play ball," the spokesperson added. "She's great with small kids! She unfortunately ended up at the shelter as a stray like many do, but she can be left loose in the house with no accidents."
While Katrina has yet to find a permanent home, she is in a better position than many at the shelter and Stottlemyer was keen to stress there are other animals in need of help there.
"We have plenty of animals in foster care, like Katrina, who are in need of local adopters, and many, many more here at the shelter who are available for adoption, fostering, or can be tagged by a rescue group," Stottlemyer added.
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.
Update 01/11/24, 6:20 a.m. ET: This story was updated with information from BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions and the headline was rewritten.
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