National

These 5 pets needed a second chance at shelters across US. See their stories

Stories by Real-Time News journalists, with AI summarization

From dogs in need of homes to cats discovered in dangerous conditions, these animals faced hardship before their second chances. Pets like Kit Kat, once near death, and Tex, who waited 225 days for adoption, show their resilience.

Read their stories below.

Bella, a longtime New York shelter resident, is in need of a second chance. Screengrab from Anita’s Stevens Swan Humane Society on Facebook

NO. 1: SHELTER DOG WITH ‘SWEET EYES’ STILL NEEDS HOME AFTER 3 YEARS. ‘CRAVES HUMAN ATTENTION’

A New York shelter called her stay “far too long for any animal.” | Published May 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Tex found a new home 225 days after being in a shelter in Yuma, Arizona. Phil Clark, Marketing Specialist Humane Society of Yuma

NO. 2: DOG NAMED TEX WAITED 225 DAYS AT ARIZONA SHELTER. THEN A COUPLE IN TEXAS TOOK NOTICE

“Happy ending for both of them.” | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner

A North Carolina cat rescued from a hardware store is in need of a new owner. Screengrab from AARF on Facebook

NO. 3: CAT FOUND ‘ON THE VERGE OF DEATH’ IS A ‘FIGHTER’ WHO NEEDS A HOME. MEET KIT KAT

“This energetic, spunky little spitfire loves to play,” a North Carolina animal rescue said. | Published June 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

​Trooper is a “sweet” dog despite “all he’s been through,” a South Carolina shelter said.​Charleston Animal Society

NO. 4: DOG ‘RUNNING SCARED’ IN SC SWAMP FOR DAYS IS FINALLY RESCUED. ‘SWEET’ PUP NEEDS A HOME

A man “wouldn’t give up” on helping the dog. | Published September 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

Hope in two elements. Photo screen grab from Ashland Animal Rescue Fund's Facebook page

NO. 5: UNLOVED DOG WAS ‘CHAINED TO A TREE FOR 9 YEARS’ — THEN A MIRACLE HAPPENED. MEET HOPE

“We promised her no more chains, no more cold, wet, hot weather, no more food tossed on the ground, no more days/nights of being unloved and forgotten,” the Kentucky shelter said. | Published January 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by TJ Macias

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.