The Heartbreaking Story of Cali, the Dog Overlooked at Adoption Events
Cali’s story isn’t just another case of a pet waiting for a home. It’s a glimpse into the quiet heartbreak that happens behind shelter walls. At a recent adoption event hosted by Kentucky’s Animal Care Society (ACS), Cali sat patiently in her crate, eyes full of hope.
But as the event wrapped up and families walked away with their new companions, Cali remained. Alone. Again.
@animalcaresocietyky Cali is an absolute sweetheart and a staff favorite here at Animal Care Society. She is a heart-stealing 2-year-old Plott Hound mix weighing 60 Ibs, waiting for a second chance at a forever home filled with love and care. This sweet pup finds joy in the simple things – she’s housebroken and adores learning new tricks with the help of treats. Cali already has a good foundation of training and knows basic commands such as sit and lay down. Her intelligence and eagerness to learn make her a delightful student, and she will undoubtedly thrive with continued training and positive reinforcement. #animals #dogs #louisville #kentucky #fyp
♬ Very Sad – Enchan
This wasn’t her first time being passed over. Cali, a mix of Plott hound and pit bull, was first surrendered to ACS as a young pup in 2023 with her littermates. She was adopted not long after and spent several months adjusting to life in a home with other dogs.
As she grew, however, she began showing signs of jealousy toward her fellow pets. That behavior led her family to return her to the shelter.
A second chance came in December 2023, when another family brought Cali home. But the stability she finally found didn’t last. A shift in her new family’s work situation meant they could no longer care for her, and once again, Cali was brought back to the shelter. Fast forward to today, and she’s been waiting for five long months, with no new home in sight.
Why Cali Keeps Getting Overlooked
Instagram | animalcaresociety | Finding a home without other animals is Cali’s top challenge, says Savannah Brown.
According to Savannah Brown, ACS’s intake and medical manager, Cali’s biggest challenge is finding a home without other pets.“Many people coming to adopt already have a dog or two, which makes it harder for Cali,” Brown explained. That’s one reason ACS decided to post a video on TikTok—to give Cali a better chance by expanding her reach beyond the local community.
The video shows Cali sitting silently in her crate after the event ended, with text overlay reading, “POV: You watched hundreds of dogs leave with families… and not one looked your way.” That short clip struck a nerve.
Over 533,000 views later, it’s clear that people care. Comments poured in from users expressing shock and sadness, asking why no one had chosen her. One viewer wrote, “Someone give this sweet girl a home already,” while another added, “How is she still waiting? She’s beautiful.”
Even with the viral attention, interest hasn’t translated into action. “We’ve had a few inquiries since the video went up,” said Brown, “but no one’s actually come in to meet her yet. We’re still hopeful, though.”
What Kind of Home Cali Needs
Pexels | U.S. shelters had over 3.12 million animal intakes in early 2024, a considerable amount, even with a slight decline.
Cali is looking for something simple: a peaceful, pet-free home where she can finally settle in. She’s fully trained, walks well on a leash, responds to basic commands, and prefers lounging to high-energy activity.
According to the ACS team, she thrives when she can be close to her person and enjoys quiet companionship. “She’s a cuddler at heart,” Brown said. “That’s what she really wants—someone who will let her be by their side.”
Cali’s situation isn’t unique. Data from Shelter Animals Count shows that in the first half of 2024, over 3.12 million animals entered shelters in the U.S. While that’s a slight decrease from the year before, it’s still a high number.
What’s more concerning is that 322,000 more pets entered shelters than left them during the same time frame.
That imbalance highlights the ongoing struggle for long-term shelter residents like Cali. They’re not overlooked because they’re unworthy—it’s often due to specific needs that don’t fit into the average adopter’s lifestyle. As the system fills up, the spotlight shifts too quickly from one story to the next.
Cali Still Waits
For now, Cali continues to wait at the Animal Care Society, her leash ready, her crate empty at the end of every adoption event. She’s not just a “dog” in a shelter—she’s a reminder of how many good animals are still waiting for a place to call home.
Her story deserves more than likes and shares. It needs the right person to finally step in and see her for who she is—a loyal, loving companion ready for a fresh start.