Former Fosterer Begs for Home for 'Gentle' Senior Dog in Shelter 1276 Days
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A dog's former foster parent is pleading for help as the canine faces euthanasia, along with 30 others in a Georgia shelter.
The DeKalb County Animal Services posted to several social media accounts the need for fosters and adopters to step forward, as "dogs are arriving faster" than they can find homes for. They currently house 506 dogs in the animal shelter, but their maximum capacity can only hold 475, the website states.
One of these dogs at risk is 10-year-old Kerrawin. This senior dog's former foster parent, Amy Siceloff, has been championing for him. Kerrawin first came into DeKalb County Animal Services on December 12, 2021, or 1,276 days ago.
"It actually turned out that he had an owner that no longer wanted to care for him, so he had known all of the comforts of a home and family before he then had to spend two years in the shelter before I pulled him out to foster," Siceloff told Newsweek via email.
She never planned on fostering him, noting her "problem dog" at home and that she owns two cats, but she couldn't resist when she saw an urgent post for him in August 2023. During that one and a half years together, she quickly learned that Kerrawin was the "sweetest dog" who loved spending time with people, car rides and walking around the neighborhood.
"I had to return him to the shelter after my resident dog attacked and injured him," she said. "They always had issues that I tried to work/train around, but it had escalated past the point of safety for anyone, myself included."
Siceloff noted that Kerrawin was never the aggressor. She's now focused on finding him the perfect fight before his timeline is up at 8 p.m. on June 10.
Photos of a 10-year-old shelter dog named Kerrawin who is at risk of being euthanized.
Photos of a 10-year-old shelter dog named Kerrawin who is at risk of being euthanized.
Courtesy of Amy Siceloff
During his time with Siceloff, he had three online adoption inquiries, which all fell through, she said. She cannot understand why no one wants the senior baby.
"Everyone that has met Kerrawin has noted how gentle and loving he is," she said. "...He knows basic commands, house trained, crate trained, nondestructive, and is quick to learn and respect boundaries."
Siceloff has been visiting Kerrawin every Sunday and taking him out on much-needed shelter breaks. But her heart breaks knowing this could be his last chance.
"Every dog deserves the chance to live, but Kerrawin has been especially hard for me as all the volunteers love him, along with literally everybody that meets him," she said. "I can't give up the fight to get him adopted now."
Part of the shelter's Instagram post reads: "We need to find homes for at least 31 dogs by tomorrow at 8 p.m., as our team is faced with making the most difficult of decisions. We're urgently asking for help from anyone who can adopt or foster. Every dog who leaves the building will make a difference."
Newsweek reached out to the DeKalb County Animal Services via email and phone on Tuesday for confirmation.
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