In a world where 200 million dogs are homeless, the situation may seem desperate, but there’s actually hope.
Government-funded programs, organizations, volunteers and ordinary lovers — there are so many of us who care!
The Forgotten Dogs of the 5th Ward Project helps rescue and care for homeless dogs in Houston, USA.
The project offers food, veterinary care and a forever home for the vulnerable animals.
Volunteers at Forgotten Dogs have dedicated themselves to helping vulnerable animals for several years. A photograph is now spreading like wildfire online and helping shed light on a serious situation the organization is fighting.
A volunteer from the animal welfare group was out one day when she saw a street dog lying on the street.
She had seen hundreds of dogs like this, but this particular moment was different.
The poor dog lay hugging an old stuffed toy. It clearly needed relief both from the hard asphalt it lay on and from its hopeless state of loneliness.
The volunteer snapped a photo of the heartbreaking scene.
Forgotten Dogs volunteers were out trying to rescue stray dogs when the sad picture emerged — a picture which gave a clear picture of a much bigger problem in the city of Houston.
With the truck used by Forgotten Dogs already full, volunteers were forced to leave the dog on site and come back for it later.
But when they returned some time later, the dog was gone.
The volunteers encountered 89-year-old Calvin, who was at the scene.
The man explained that it was a dog he took care of, but that it ran away now and then.
Calvin explained that he always tried his best to take care of as many homeless dogs as possible.
He has his own little dog shelter, managed entirely voluntarily. However, with so many dogs in such a small area, some sometimes ran away.
The volunteers at Forgotten Dogs offered to help with veterinary costs and other practical things. Calvin was extremely grateful.
1.2 million homeless dogs in the city
The organization is also continuing its hard work to save as many dogs as possible in and around Houston.
Houston has a big problem with homeless street dogs, with authorities estimating that 1.2 million (!) homeless dogs reside in the streets of the big city.
The situation is only remedied through the help of volunteers who are fighting to give dogs a better life.
While the picture of the dog sleeping with his stuffed toy is heartbreaking and reflects such a huge problem, it’s amazing to know that there are selfless people working around the clock trying to take care of street dogs and give them a safe home.
Please share to pay tribute to all the selfless animal heroes around the world!
