After waiting in a shelter for more than a month, a dog has shown that she is at her "breaking point" in the most unexpected way.
Mya, a spirited walker hound, has captured the hearts of viewers after appearing in a viral video that showed the moment she escaped from her kennel and perched herself on top of its railing.
Marissa Emerman, a volunteer at Halifax County Animal Control in Virginia, captured the moment on camera as she walked into the kennel area—stunned to see Mya in the unusual spot. She shared the moment on TikTok, where the footage has gone viral with more than 850,000 views.
"Mya is about a year old and she's a walker hound. She's been with us since December 10," Emerman told Newsweek. "I share all the unique videos of shelter animals on TikTok in hopes of some sort of education or eye-opener. I love the reaction. The more people that see it, the more people know about us, and the more lives that are saved."
In the video, Mya can be seen perched confidently on the kennel railing, showcasing a skill that has emerged during her stay at the shelter. Emerman said Mya's acrobatics began recently, attributing them to what she believes is boredom from a prolonged stay. "[It] just started this Sunday. She's getting bored," Emerman said.
In the first half of 2024, 3.12 million animals entered U.S. shelters, according to Shelter Animals Count, a decrease from the same period in 2023. Despite this, the number of animals in shelters remains high. In the first half of 2024, 322,000 more pets entered shelters than exited them.
According to Shelter Animals Count, in 2024 there were 82,000 fewer dog and cat adoptions compared to 2023. Dog adoptions took a particular decline, decreasing by 5 percent compared to both 2023 and 2019.
The TikTok video sparked a wave of comments from viewers, with many falling in love with Mya.
"She wants out now come on someone go get this baby," one viewer commented, while another said: "Lol such a hound dog! They're always climbing out their kennels!"
"I feel like she is just keeping her skills sharp," a user wrote.
Mya is now safely in a covered kennel, but she is still hoping to find a home soon. Reflecting on the viral attention, Emerman remained hopeful that Mya's story would not only raise awareness about shelter animals but also inspire more adoptions.
Do you have funny or adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our "Pet of the Week" lineup.
English (US) ·