A small dog that has gone from a frightened, growling stray to a playful and affectionate pup in a matter of weeks has showcased the power of animal rescue.
Scrappy was first reported to California’s Kern County Animal Services on August 1 by a concerned citizen who had seen him sleeping near a large cement pipe behind their home. The shelter’s field services unit set a trap and captured Scrappy on August 3.
When Scrappy first arrived at the shelter, he was understandably terrified. Estimated to be around 1 or 2 years old, he is thought to be a mix of a corgi, dachshund and other breeds.
The medical team that assessed him noted his fear, describing him as “very scared, growling and baring teeth.” Despite being given anti-anxiety medication, he continued to exhibit signs of distress and avoidance, shying away from human interaction and other dogs.
Kern County Animal Services
“He continued to exhibit antisocial behavior, not wanting to interact with kennel staff or other dogs,” Director of Kern County Animal Services Nick Cullen told Newsweek.
“By August 12, he was being considered an at-risk dog, and a plea went out to rescue partners asking for a commitment within 24 hours,” Cullen said. “Typically, that type of timeline, amidst the crisis animal shelters like ours are in across the country, can result in the animal being considered for euthanasia.”
But hope arrived for Scrappy in the form of Ruby, a dedicated staff member who saw potential in the small pup. Taking a personal interest in his care, on August 13 she wrote: “I felt that he needed more of a chance…. He walked fine on leash, was very sweet and affectionate, followed me everywhere.”
After questioning Scrappy’s status on the at-risk list, Ruby started taking the pup out of his kennel and spending time with him on her breaks. She found that despite some initial fear, Scrappy was sweet, affectionate and responsive and quickly started coming when called.
“Love, compassion and looking beyond fear-based behaviors—those are the things that helped him survive,” Cullen said, praising Ruby for her actions. “We’d all be frightened if we were in Scrappy’s situation.”
As Scrappy began to come out of his shell, shelter staff noticed some problems with his walking. After medical examination, the team suspected intervertebral disc disease, a condition that can require ongoing care. Knowing that finding an adopter for a dog with special needs can be challenging, the shelter’s rescue team worked tirelessly to connect Scrappy with a nonprofit partner.
On August 22, Scrappy was rescued by a nonprofit that can meet his specific needs. In less than a month, the pup has gone from potential euthanasia to living his best life with a loving rescue organization.
“What saved him was a human being performing a job that all too often gets demonized, looking beyond his fear-based behavior to see an animal that needed an advocate,” Cullen said.
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