No dog in a shelter should ever have to face euthanasia, yet it remains a painful reality for many pups housed in overcrowded facilities.
Ginger, a Boxer, once lived in a home. But one day, her world was turned upside down when her owners surrendered both her and her brother, Juice, to the Lancaster Animal Care Center in California.
Behind the cold kennel doors, Ginger was left confused and heartbroken.
Due to limited space, both she and Juice were placed on the euthanasia list.
While Juice was lucky enough to be adopted in time, Ginger’s clock was ticking, and hope was fading fast. Was there still a chance to save her?
One Special Day Out
Evelyn Garces, a dedicated volunteer at the Lancaster Animal Care Center, devotes her time to comforting animals who are scheduled to be put down.
As a way to honor these dogs, the staff and volunteers make it a point to give each one a joyful day out before their final moments — aiming to make it the best day of their lives.
Even though Garces had been volunteering for over a year, it never got easier. Seeing the dogs leave their kennels with tails wagging, unaware it might be their last walk, always left her heart heavy.
When she took Ginger out for her special day, the gentle Boxer reminded her of her own dog, Bravo. Watching Ginger relish every step and soak up the affection, Garces felt a deep urge to fight for her.
She recorded a video of Ginger during their outing and shared the moment on TikTok.
“She needs an exit plan NOW,” Garces wrote in the video’s caption.
It didn’t take long for the touching clip to capture hearts across the internet. Thousands of people were moved by Ginger’s story, hoping someone would step forward to save her.
In response to the video’s outpouring of support, the shelter granted Ginger a one-day reprieve — a final window of time to find a miracle.
And, that miracle arrived.
A New Beginning
A compassionate woman, touched by the TikTok video, contacted the shelter and said she wanted to adopt Ginger.
There was just one problem — she couldn’t make the drive to Los Angeles to pick her up.
Determined not to let this stop Ginger’s happy ending, Garces reached out to a fellow volunteer named Emily and asked if she could help transport the dog to her forever home.
Emily didn’t hesitate. She agreed immediately and made plans to pick up Ginger the very next morning.
That morning, Ginger was officially removed from the euthanasia list. Emily arrived at the shelter and brought her to her new life.
Garces later posted another video , this time celebrating Ginger’s rescue.
Now safe and loved in her new home, Ginger is a completely different dog. Surrounded by affection, her true personality is finally beginning to blossom.
She knows she’s safe. Her second chance means she’ll never have to worry again. From here on out, Ginger will only know love — the kind that lasts a lifetime.