LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In a video posted online Tuesday, Louisville Metro Animal Services said a healthy, but frightened dog was at risk for euthanasia simply because the shelter didn’t have the space or staff to make him feel better.   

What You Need To Know

  • In a video posted online Tuesday, Louisville Metro Animal Services said a healthy, but frightened dog was at risk for euthanasia simply because the shelter didn’t have the space or staff to make him feel better

  • Hundreds of people shared the video message 

  • The shelter has been over-capacity for nearly two years 

  • The dog was adopted Wednesday 

“Guys, the situation that our shelter is in is critical,” said public information officer Stephanie Jackson. “We are taking in dog after dog, so dogs like Flannel don’t really stand a chance. They’re so scared here … Unfortunately, we don’t know if he’s going to make it out of here. The only way we know he can is getting on here and asking our community for help.”

The shelter has been over-capacity for nearly two years now, due in part to unwanted litters, strays and pets surrendered for housing or financial reasons, Jackson said.

Last year, said Jackson, the shelter had to euthanize some of the animals they don’t have the time to work with or the space to house.

“It’s devastating,” she said. “We all take this home.”

Animal care specialist Kimberly Corder couldn’t let that happen to Flannel, she said. In the video, the dog can be seen trembling and nuzzling into her. 

“I’ve been working with him since October, and I just see a side of him that nobody else saw, you know, and I just I couldn’t let them do it,” she said. “I just couldn’t.”

Hundreds of people shared the video and by the end of the day, someone had signed up to adopt Flannel. 

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Corder. “It’s what I wanted for Christmas. I don’t want anything else. I just wanted him to go home.”

Flannel went to his new home on Wednesday evening.

“I knew our community is a compassionate community,” said Jackson. “We’re an animal-loving community, and I knew that he didn’t have to die yesterday. I knew that someone would say, ‘I can do this.’ And so many people did.”

While Tuesday was a good day, the shelter continues to struggle with staffing and space as they work to find forever homes for the other animals, said Jackson.

If you’re interested in adopting or fostering a pet, you can visit Louisville Metro Animal Services on Newburg Road from 12 to 6 p.m. each day.  

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