It was meant to be his big day, but instead Flash the lurcher was left celebrating his ninth birthday in a shelter, after over 1,070 days waiting.
“He is a wonderful lad,” Judith Haw from the U.K.’s Dogs Trust told Newsweek. “Staff held a ‘Flash Day’ to try and generate some interest in him and for people to have the chance to see him outside of a kennel. He is a wonderful lad so the team wanted to show any potential adopters how lovely, playful a lad he is. He enjoyed his day being spoiled by staff but sadly no-one attended to meet Flash.”
Over two years ago, Flash found himself at the shelter in Darlington, England, when circumstances changed for his previous owner, but he is now one of 12 lurcher dogs currently being overlooked by potential owners. Despite his charm and playfulness, he’s been passed over time and again.
Flash enjoyed a wonderful 9th birthday, spoilt by staff and enjoying presents, party playtimes and birthday snuggles, but as it is now his third birthday spent in kennels, the team wants to ensure he turns 10 with his forever family.
In 2024, approximately 7 million animals entered U.S. shelters and rescues, according to Shelter Animals Count—an increase of nearly 3 percent from 2023. By the end of the year, 103,000 more pets had entered shelters than had exited, contributing to an ongoing capacity crisis in U.S. shelters.
This sadly isn’t the first time a dog has been ignored at an adoption event. Earlier this year, Kentucky-based animal shelter Animal Care Society (ACS) shared how Cali the dog was ignored at an adoption event.
While another dog was “invisible” to adopters until the shelter came up with a solution, putting a note on her kennel. Amazingly, it worked, and Katerina was adopted.
The good news is that Flash has recently received some interest, being favorited a number of times on the website. But he is still waiting to find a home. “He isn’t reserved so is therefore still available for adoption. We very much hope he will meet ‘The One’ very soon,” Haw said.
“He has [also] received presents from our Amazon Wishlist from admirers which has been really kind and lovely for Flash. Our hopes are that he will meet his perfect match, and all the amazing PR will lead to him finding his forever family very soon,” she added.
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The post Heartbreak As Shelter Throws Adoption Event for Dog, but No One Turns Up appeared first on Newsweek.
