On the day she was scheduled to be euthanized, a pup named Sandy was saved last minute by a woman who saw her story on social media and couldn’t bear to see the dog go.
A viral TikTok video shared on Monday by @evelyn.garces_, a volunteer at the Lancaster Animal Care Center in California, shows the German shepherd pup heading for one last fun trip before being put down within 48 hours. “POV [point of view]: you come out of your kennel for one last pool day before you go to heaven,” reads layover text in the clip.
Evelyn Garces says in the video that she gave Sandy a “last” of each of her favorite things like treats and walks, as she prepared to say goodbye to the 3-year old pup forever.
“She got to say goodbye to her friend. She didn’t want to see him go. She got her last walk. She’s proved that she’s a good girl. She doesn’t know why nobody wants her,” she writes in the clip.
Garces told Newsweek that, while she doesn’t know the in-depth details about Sandy’s past, the dog entered the shelter as a stray with one of her babies, whom she took care of everyday until she was adopted.
“Her daughter was adopted very quickly. Sandy had been waiting for a little over a month when she had been scheduled for euthanasia,” Garces said. “I have a thing for the forgotten moms, so, of course, I got attached to her and I knew I needed to post her. I never would’ve imagined the video would’ve done so well, but I’m so grateful.”
When everything seemed lost for Sandy, a woman from San Diego noticed her, and then proceeded to drive all the way to the shelter to pick her up.
“Sandy was adopted [on Monday]! She will be spayed and picked up tomorrow. Her mom drove all the way from San Diego today and will again tomorrow!” Garces said.
For the volunteer, Sandy’s adoption is not just about her; it is about all the other healthy pups who could have a bright future with the right family but end up being euthanized because shelters can no longer host them.
Garces said: “Monday marked 12 weeks since my shelter soul dog, Honor, was euthanized for space. She inspires me to keep advocating for the underdogs like pit bulls and shepherds so they get the chance that she didn’t. She genuinely meant the world to me.”
Today was Sandy’s last fun day out of her kennel. She’s been through a lot. She was brought to the shelter as a stray with her baby. Her baby was adopted, leaving only Sandy behind. She’s cleared for euthanasia and scheduled to go to heaven in less than 48 hours. Tomorrow is her last chance. 3 years old 56 lbs A5707644 LANCASTER ANIMAL CARE CENTER; 5210 West Avenue I, Lancaster, CA 93536 • Public Hours 11am-5pm Monday thru Saturday (closed Sunday) Website: animalcare.lacounty.gov #animalshelter #lacounty #cleartheshelters #shelterdog #lancasteranimalcarecenter #animalsheltervolunteer #urgent #foryoupage #fyp
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that, of the almost 3 million pups that entered U.S. shelters in 2024, only about 2 million were adopted.
Around 554,000 were returned to their owner; 524,000 were transferred to other organizations; and 334,000 were euthanized.
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 2.9 million views and more than 224,000 likes on the platform.
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