Sad Dog Returned To Shelter 5 Months After Rescue: 'Tried To Make It Work'

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a dog has been returned to the shelter she was adopted from after just five months.

What 1-year-old Frangelica thought was her forever home wasn't meant to be when the 45-pound pup was returned to Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control (FWACC) in Texas.

"We got a message from the foster, who was contacted by her adopter. They told them their dog and Frangelica were not getting along," Lauren Anton from FWACC told Newsweek. "They tried to make it work; we offered training resources. They have officially returned her to the rescue."

Frangelica hasn't had an easy start to her short life, surviving a battle with Parvo earlier this year. "She survived a hard battle with disease. On May 5 she tested positive for Parvo at urgent care. We hospitalized her there and after that, she took months to get adopted," Anton explained.

Parvo, short for canine parvovirus, is a highly contagious viral infection. It primarily attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Puppies are particularly vulnerable.

But despite overcoming illness and finding a family home, Frangelica has found herself back at the shelter and looking for the perfect companion once more.

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.

Having recently celebrated her first birthday, she is crate trained, potty trained, spayed and up to date on all vaccines. Shelter workers believe that in the right environment Frangelica will thrive.

Anton emphasized: "She just turned a year old a few days ago. In the right home—like with males, or even more dogs—we are positive she will do great."

As the shelter launches efforts to find Frangelica the perfect loving home, there has been an outpouring of support on their social media for her, with many hoping she will soon have her own happy ending.

"What a cutie! So sorry, she was failed by humans, yet again. I pray a committed, loyal, foster steps up," wrote Heather Cree.

While Kimberly Wood commented: "She's beautiful. Praying for a loving forever home."

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