Rescue dog Sky finally gets adopted 24 hours after shelter's plea went viral

A rescue dog in Virginia has finally found her forever family just 24 hours after a shelter's desperate plea that she 'just needs a chance' went viral.

Sky had been a resident at Stafford County Animal Shelter since November and until this week had not received any inquiries about adoption.

The shelter asked the public to help find the three-year-old dog a home in a post on its Facebook page that was re-shared on Twitter. 

The shelter shared a picture of Sky in her kennel and details of her predicament.

The post read: 'We have posted her multiple times…still nothing. We understand she must be the only dog, but there has to be someone out there who belongs to Sky.

Sky had been a resident at Stafford County Animal Shelter since November and until last week had not received any inquiries about adoption. She was adopted by Donna Crowder, who inquired about the dog for her young son Joseph. Pictured: Sky at the shelter (left) and with her new owner (right)

'She is a wonderful companion. She does great with all people and loves going for walks with our volunteers. We are confident she will make someone very happy, she just needs a chance.'

The post received more than 60,000 shares and almost 5,000 comments.

The shelter was inundated with phone calls and had to apologize because it could not respond to them all. 

'We had over 200 inquiries after the post was made and three different news channels reach out to us,' the shelter said. 'It was very overwhelming but in the best way possible.'

On March 1, the shelter shared the happy news that Sky was going to a new home. She was adopted by Donna Crowder, who inquired about the dog for her young son Joseph.

'It happened!! It finally happened!!! Sky was adopted !!! We have received more inquiries than we could respond to, so we apologize if you were left unanswered. We are hoping this answers all questions and make your day!' the shelter announced alongside an image of the happy family.

'Thank you so much for making the drive to us to take this girl home. Good luck, Sky !!!,' it added.

'We have been in the market for a dog, and when they said she was good with kids, I said, "Ok, I will make the drive,"' Crowder told WSET. 

A post notifying the public that Sky had been adopted was shared on Stafford County Animal Shelter's Facebook page

Sky was put in the shelter because she was not getting along with other dogs in her home.

'She will be the only dog in the home and very spoiled,' the shelter explained. 'The family plans on making up for lost time that she deserved.'

'She went to a family with children. She did very well with the kids and the family that met her,' said the shelter. 'They are located in Virginia, two hours away from our shelter.' 

Sky was one of the shelter's longest-term residents. 

'It's not common for dogs to have absolutely zero inquiries,' Stafford County Animal Shelter told Newsweek. 'We at least see a few people interested in the animals. Unfortunately, because of her breed—Pit bull mix—and her requirements—no other animals—we think this may have played a role in the fact she received no inquiries.'

The Stafford County Animal shelter has been operating for more than 50 years as a county facility, and currently has 31 animals available for adoption and 17 animals in their foster care.

Data from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reported that 6.3 million companion animals will enter shelters every year in the U.S., including around 3.1 million dogs and 3.2 million cats.

In 2022, data from animal welfare organization The Best Friends Animal Society revealed that the number of pets euthanized in shelters had increased for the first time in five years in 2021. This followed a historic low of animals entering shelters in 2020 due to staff shortages and shelter closures.