Shelter's Appeal for Dog Waiting Nearly 2,000 Days for a Home: 'Please'

A Florida animal rescue is appealing for help in finding a home for a resident who is nearing 2,000 days in its care.

The staff at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves took to TikTok to share the story of Panda—who, in less than 100 days, will have been with the rescue for almost five and a half years.

In the video, posted on the @bigdogranchrescuefl account, the rescue said, "Please take Panda home before he reaches 2,000 days at the ranch."

Newsweek has contacted Big Dog Ranch Rescue for comment.

In a 2021 study published in the journal Animals, researchers analyzed data related to long-term shelter dogs, defined as dogs that had been in the shelter system for a year or more.

The study identified several common canine characteristics among the cohort: Long-term shelter dogs were usually older in age, male, on the large size, neutered and considered by some to fall into the category of "dangerous breed."

As a 6-year-old mixed breed of some stature, Panda fits the bill in many respects, which the rescue appears painfully aware of. "Sadly, there are many dogs like Panda who never get the chance to find their forever home," it wrote in the video's caption. "But we refuse to let that be Panda's fate."

The hope is that by sharing Panda's story, viewers may be interested in adopting the pup, who can be seen playing throughout the 43-second video.

The clip appears to have caught the eye of TikTok's animal lovers community. "Aww Panda! Your forever family is out there," one user wrote. Another said, "My gosh he is cute," while a commenter added: "Help this poor soul! So beautiful!"

"Hope Panda finds his human soulmate soon," another said, and a viewer wrote, "Hims a good looking boy."

Having spent an extended period of time in Panda's company, the rescue has a pretty good idea of the kind of home he needs.

It wrote in the video's caption, "He dreams of being the spoiled dog in a home where he's the only star—no kids, no other dogs, just him, his tennis ball, and a comfy bed to relax in after playtime."

As Panda waits for someone to come forward and provide such a home, viewers have sent him their well-wishes.

If he is adopted, Panda wouldn't be the first long-term shelter dog to eventually find a home. Recently, a stray christened "Crazy Nelly," who spent five years with a rescue, ended up finding a permanent home. The same was true for a dog who endured 1,739 days at a shelter.

A screenshot from a viral TikTok video of Panda. TikTok/bigdogranchrescuefl