Some animals arrive at shelters in heartbreaking condition, but with a little love their lives can totally turn around.
That was the case for one neglected dog, who was found nearly starving to death, but in the weeks since has been making incredible strides.
In September, the South Suburban Humane Society, in Illinois, took in a severely emaciated dog named Pumpkin. He was first found by a local resident who thought he was dying and brought him to the police.
Emily Klehm, CEO of the South Suburban Humane Society, told Newsweek that while they rescue many dogs, Pumpkin’s was an “extreme case” that left them speechless. “He was severely emaciated and unable to walk,” she said.
Photos show how unbelievably thin the dog was — it’s a miracle he survived at all.
Vets administered fluids and shaved his matted fur. Despite the rough start, he started to perk up and went into foster care with one of the shelter employees.
“Thankfully, we got him into foster care, where he is starting to improve and stand on his own again,” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “His journey is still long, but we are incredibly proud of him so far.”
Updates from the shelter show the remarkable improvement Pumpkin has made in just a short time. While he was unable to stand when they first found him, he can now walk around the yard on his own, wagging his tail.
“This little man is so strong and getting better every single day,” the shelter wrote.
Though he’s still visibly thin, he has been slowly regaining weight. “This little man is progressing, and we cannot wait to see how much more he continues to improve!” South Suburban Humane Society wrote.
Pumpkin’s backstory is still unclear, but the shelter says he will be placed up for adoption once he gets medical clearance.
“Pumpkin will need a home that understands that he was severely neglected,” Klehm told Newsweek. “He doesn’t know how to be a dog, so everything from leash walking to toys are all new experiences for him. An experienced dog family would be best.”
In the meantime, he’s doing well and loves his foster home.
It’s heartbreaking that Pumpkin was neglected for so long, but we’re so glad he’s doing well and regaining weight — we hope he finds a forever home soon when he’s ready!
Please share this story if you love dogs!
Circus lion was locked up for 20 long years, now watch his reaction when he’s released
Animals hold a special place in my heart, and the idea of a mountain lion, especially a majestic one like Mufasa, being chained in a truck bed is simply heartbreaking.
Sadly, that was Mufasa’s reality. He was part of a traveling circus in Peru, forced to endure a miserable existence for people’s entertainment and his owner’s profit.
Thankfully, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of animal rights activists.
Many animals still face abuse and neglect in circuses, zoos, and shows. While recent years have seen some improvements, there’s a long road ahead. Countless creatures are confined to cramped spaces, denied the lives they deserve.
Mufasa, the magnificent mountain lion, was discovered chained to a pickup truck in Peru. For twenty long years, he was imprisoned in a life he never wanted.
Though his freedom came later in life, it arrived nonetheless. In 2015, after months of dedicated effort, Animal Defenders International, an animal rights organization, secured his release. They encountered Mufasa while shutting down a Peruvian circus.
Freedom had a profound impact on Mufasa’s well-being. He was finally free from the shackles of anxiety and oppression, experiencing the fundamental right all wild creatures deserve – to roam free in their natural habitat and live on their own terms.
Mufasa’s rescue story is heartwarming, and the video below captures his first steps towards freedom – a truly beautiful moment!
Tragically, after his rescue, Mufasa’s health, compromised by twenty years of captivity, began to decline. He succumbed to kidney failure and other age-related issues in 2015, according to Animal Defenders International.
Yet, his story serves as a powerful reminder.
Mufasa, a gentle giant who loved a good scratch, may not have had a longer time in the Amazon rainforest, but his brief taste of freedom is far preferable to a lifetime of captivity.
No animal should ever endure what Mufasa did.
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