Woman Goes to PetSmart for Cat Litter, Then She Sees a Rescue Dog

Newsweek

22-07-2025

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 woman has gone viral after revealing how she went into PetSmart to run an errand but ended up leaving with a four-legged best friend instead.
In June 2024, Felicia Wells found herself sitting in traffic on her way to pick up some cat litter. She almost didn't go, though, because she knew how busy and chaotic everywhere would be on a Saturday afternoon.
But when she pulled into the parking lot, Wells, of Burlington, Vermont, spotted a sign about an adoption event the PetSmart store was hosting that weekend, with multiple dogs from KC Pet Rescue.
Indeed, after seeing that, Wells told Newsweek that her first thought was "if there's a shepherd in there, they're coming home."
Kratos the rescue dog is seen in a pen inside PetSmart during the adoption event.
Kratos the rescue dog is seen in a pen inside PetSmart during the adoption event.
@feliciawells666 / TikTok
As it turned out, she met an adorable Belgian Malinois and Dutch shepherd mix named Kratos. He was found digging through garbage when KC Pet Rescue saved him. Wells learned that he was merely "skin and bones" back then, and he had spent 10 months waiting for a home.
"I had huge reservations about adopting him, and I immediately left the store so I could send the video I took to my mom, expecting her to talk me out of adopting him," Wells said. "But she did the exact opposite, insisting that it was fate.
"Another concern was his ability to be adopted into a home with cats. But, as fate would have it, the foster home he was in had cats," Wells added.
She adopted Kratos that weekend and was delighted to offer him a second chance. She only went in for cat litter, but she left with a new family member.
Watching Kratos adjust to his new normal has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. For the first few weeks, he was "completely shut down" and very nervous. During his first night, Wells said she noticed how he just stood around looking lost and confused.
"He had no interest in treats, did not understand toys, tried to escape and run away on walks, and was reluctant to eat the first several meals I offered to him. The first night, I don't think either of us slept a wink," Wells said.
As a result, she couldn't resist picking Kratos up and putting him in her bed. He stayed there all night, trembling with fear but cuddling up to her appreciatively.
Kratos has come a long way since then. He has been in his home for a year and developed such a strong personality with so much confidence.
Wells said she recalls the "breakthrough moment" when she made herself some macaroni and cheese, only to discover that it was also her dog's favorite food, given his reaction. Now, Kratos loves snoozing on the couch with his cat siblings, playing with his toys, and being spoiled by his owner.
After reflecting on her impromptu decision to adopt Kratos, Wells shared a video on TikTok (@feliciawells666) showing footage of her pup at the adoption event. The clip went viral with over 342,000 views and more than 63,000 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
The online response is beyond anything Wells expected, although many people misunderstood the viral clip and believed that Kratos was being sold by PetSmart. That, of course, wasn't the case.
"The biggest thing I would like to accomplish from sharing his story is to provide support for KC Pet Rescue, who saved him and held onto him for 10 months until I found him," Wells said.
She continued: "They are a small, volunteer-based organization that provides rescue for homeless, abused and neglected dogs. He was found just outside of Morrilton, Arkansas, digging through a woman's garbage.
"The rescue tested, treated, and paid for his heartworm treatment, which is expensive and lengthy to treat. I am endlessly grateful to KC Pet Rescue for keeping my boy safe and well-cared for."
In just a matter of days, the viral TikTok video has generated over 600 comments so far. Plenty of internet users praised Wells for giving Kratos his forever home.
One comment reads: "You went home with a best friend."
Another TikTok user wrote: "He looks so much healthier now that he's with you."
A third person replied: "You'll never regret this save!"
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to [e-mail] and they could appear on our site.