Face of Shelter Dog Spending His Fourth Christmas Alone Breaks Hearts

Animal lovers have been moved to tears over a dog preparing to spend a fourth Christmas alone in a shelter.

Zorro is six years old and has spent most of his life at the Humane Society in Naples, Florida, after coming into their care in 2021 on a transfer from a shelter in Georgia.

“While we don’t have much information about his past, we’ve learned so much about him during his time here,” Naples Humane Society staff member Patrizia Vila told Newsweek.

“Zorro is incredibly smart and has learned a variety of commands, including sit, down, wait, stay, come, focus, paw, high five, place, and drop.”

The shelter is highlighting Zorro, or Z as they have nicknamed him, as he faces a fourth Christmas alone in the shelter, with the rescue eager to get him a loving family of his own.

In a heart-breaking video shared to their TikTok account @hsnaples on December 15, set to When She Loved Me by Sarah McLachlan, Zorro sits in her kennel on a blanket, staring at the camera, along the words: “POV: You’ve been ata shelter since 2021, spending every Christmas alone.”

“My name is Zorro and I’m looking for my Christmas miracle.”

The video then shows Zorro at play, doing tricks and following obedience commands with a smile on his face, with the words: “I’m such a good boy and I have so much love to give. Will you be the one to change my story? Even a foster break would mean the world to me.”

Zorro’s story had a huge response, with over 151,000 views and hundreds of comments, as plenty of commenters showed interest in the pup.

“How has nobody fallen in love with him yet? He’s a beautiful boy,” one wrote, as another wrote: “I pray he gets a beautiful home for the holidays.”

“Heartbreaking that Zorro has spent that much time there—but bless you for taking such great care,” another said, amid dozens of comments interested in fostering, adopting or just finding out more.

Staff member Vila told Newsweek that since the video was uploaded, Z has “gained quite the popularity and we are so happy he is getting the attention he deserves.”

“Our adoption coordinator has been thrilled to receive so many inquiries about Zorro and is currently reviewing them. We’re so hopeful that his perfect match is out there.”

Around 6.3 million animals enter shelters across the United States each year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), while 4.1 million are adopted every year.

As for what would make a perfect match for Zorro, Vila said it has so far found this has been a “challenge”.

“Due to his long stay in the shelter and the adjustment period he will need, an adult-only home is preferred,” she said and urged anyone interested to email [email protected].

As he’s previously had “positive interactions with very social female dogs,” they’re open to his new home having dogs, but he is more people-friendly than dog-friendly, they clarified in the TikTok caption.

The shelter added in the caption: “He thrives with positive reinforcement training and would make the perfect companion for someone ready to meet their best friend.

“Our hope is to find Zorro his perfect match before Christmas—we know they’re out there!”

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