There is nothing dogs love more than having a warm home and a devoted family to call their own.
Sadly, not every pup gets that chance. While some are fortunate enough to live happily in loving homes, countless others spend their lives either on the streets or confined within shelter kennels.
Max was one of the lucky ones—at least for a while. For nearly eight years, he lived a happy life with his family. Then, out of nowhere, his world collapsed when his owners surrendered him to a shelter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Max was heartbroken…
His World Turned Upside Down
Shortly after Max was surrendered to the Pennsylvania SPCA in Philadelphia, a woman named Sarah Brown captured a video of him in his kennel.
She shared the heartbreaking clip, through her TikTok account, @sarahbrown701.
In the video, Max can be seen pressed against the side of his kennel, staring blankly, his body language radiating despair. After eight years of knowing only love from his family, suddenly he was alone in a cold, unfamiliar place.
“The only family youve ever known returns you to the shelter after adopting you as a puppy 8 years ago,” the video stated.
The footage quickly went viral, touching the hearts of many.
“This should be a crime 😭” one user commented.
“I just can’t imagine loving a baby for 8 years and discarding them as if it were nothing, leaving them confused and scared,” another added.
“How could people do this? Ugh, I know he will find a new family that loves him forever,” a third viewer wrote.
Good News Thanks To Kind Hearts
According to the ASPCA, about 3.1 million dogs are among the 6.3 million companion animals that enter U.S. shelters each year. While the numbers have decreased since 2011, they are still staggering.
The reasons vary—anything from having a baby, a new job, relocating, financial hardship, divorce, or “unexpected housing changes,” which was the explanation given for Max’s surrender.
No matter the reason, abandoning a pet after eight years of loyalty and love is a heartbreaking decision.
Fortunately, the compassionate team at the Pennsylvania SPCA was determined to help Max heal. They worked tirelessly to comfort him, bring back his joy, and remind him that he was still loved.
And judging by the updates, they succeeded.
Enjoy!