This Christmas, one rescue dog is hoping for his very own miracle—a forever home.
Fabio, a 4-year-old dog from Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), has captured hearts in footage of his festive ride to admire Christmas lights at Peppermint Parkway in Texas.
Peppermint Parkway is an annual holiday drive-through event held at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin. This festive attraction features over 6 million dazzling lights and animated displays along a mile-long route. Running from November 22 through December 29, the magical drive through Christmas lights was a beautiful moment for Fabio.
In the now-viral video on Instagram, which has seen 1.4 million views since it was posted last week, Fabio is seen gazing out of the car window, taking in the twinkling holiday decorations as a shelter volunteer drove him through the dazzling display.
In 2023, 6.5 million animals entered U.S. shelters, according to Shelter Animals Count, up 4 percent when compared to 2022 intakes. At the end of 2023, 117,000 additional dogs and cats were in the animal sheltering system compared to the same time the year before.
Around 850,000 animals were euthanized in shelters in 2023, a rise of 15 percent when compared to 2022. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.
Fabio was first at the shelter in July 2021 and was adopted for a while before being returned in 2023.
"Fabio has PICA which is a condition where they compulsively eat non-food items," Luis Sanchez, director of public relations & communications at APA!, told Newsweek. "He's had to have a few surgeries and just needs a home where his environment can be clean and monitored. He's a great dog though."
Instagram users have been moved by the moment, with many cheering for Fabio to find his forever home.
"This is your sign to adopt a dog and take them to look at Christmas lights," the shelter urged in the video's caption.
"I hope he finds his forever home," one commenter wrote, while another commented: "He deserves all the holiday cheer."
"It breaks my heart. So many babies out there desperate to have a good home.... We don't deserve them," read another reply.
Other users were inspired to help out at their local shelter after seeing the video.
"WAIT— we can go to shelters and take dogs out on a lil day trip? If so, I'm going to a local shelter," one commenter added.
For now, Fabio is still searching for the perfect home.
"Fabio would thrive in a calm home with older kids or adults who can keep his environment tidy," Sanchez said. "He would even do well with a well-matched dog. He is just waiting for someone to provide the love and attention he needs to live his best life."
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