After spending six years in kennels, a rescue dog named Leila has finally experienced the love of a foster family, but she’s still looking for a forever home.
In a viral TikTok post shared on Wednesday by the shelter hosting her, under the username @fapf_hungary, Leila can be seen stepping foot into a home for the very first time in her life, wiggling her happy tail as she makes her way in.
There she has her very own bed, toys, blankets, and her foster carers, who are showing her what a loving family is. However, she is still looking for a forever home, a place that she will never have to leave.
A spokesperson for the Foundation of Animal Protection Füzesabony (FAPF) in Hungary told Newsweek that Leila was rescued in 2018 when she was found chained to a wall.
“She stayed at a boarding facility since then, we paid each month for her boarding in hopes to one day have someone take her home. It’s been six years. She had a lot of volunteers who loved her but no one could give her a chance until now.
“She was notorious for being super cold especially at night but she really hates dog coats so no matter how many we tried she always ripped them off—we put straw in her dog house but she was still very cold.”
Her new foster parents, Tara and Dylan, are two of the shelter’s long-term volunteers whose beloved foster dog passed recently from old age, so they were able to give Leila a chance this time.
“Leila’s dream home would be anyone who lets her sleep indoors and is patient with her as she is rather shy at first. She would like a home without kids due to her nervous nature.
“Once she is warmed up, she is very playful and loves to play with toys and go for long walks. She gets along with other dogs, but feels more comfortable in a home as a single pet. She can be adopted anywhere in Europe, we help with transport.”
Leila’s boarding cost the shelter over 4 million Hungarian forint (about $10,000) in six years, but they don’t have the means to do this for every dog in her situation.
“We can’t give this chance to dogs unless we have the support to do so. We would really appreciate it if anyone resonates with her story and could support our work with either good quality dog food or monetary donations for kenneling fees.
“We know waiting in a kennel for six years is extremely long, but we do our best to provide everything for these dogs within our means, and it makes it all worth it when they can finally move to a warm home. Leila was one of our longest residents.”
Shelters across America are also overwhelmed. It is estimated that over 6.3 million animals enter every year, and while most of them get adopted or returned, almost a million of them ends up getting euthanized because there’s no space to keep them.
These numbers are slowly beginning to decrease thanks to the rising number of people adopting their pets instead of buying, but the overcrowding issue is still far from over.
Fostering dogs also saves lives. You can foster dogs through charities like the Animal Humane Society or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). To be considered, you must be over 18 years old, and be willing to give the pup all the support needed and commit to their well-being.
Foundation of Animal Protection Füzesabony FAPF
The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 2,565 views and 548 likes on the platform.
One user, Nooby701, said: “How many times has she stood at the cage and wasn’t allowed out. Thank to the foster family.”
Laura83 wrote: “Oh her little smile at the end!! Hope it’s a failed foster.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
