Randy, a 3-year-old dog at the Associated Humane Societies Newark Shelter, has been at the facility since December 2023 and has gone more than 450 days — roughly 10,800 hours — without attracting an adopter, volunteers and staff say. Coverage from Thedodo has highlighted this story.

Volunteers and shelter employees describe Randy as increasingly anxious and having put on weight during his extended stay. The changes have made his case a focal point for staff who worry that prolonged kennel life can erode an animal’s wellbeing and reduce the chances of eventual adoption.

https://x.com/monicasloves/status/1995160815222087795. Reporting by Awionline offers additional detail on this case.

“The dogs at the shelter mean so much to me. The best part of my week is making sure they get a moment of joy,” said Olivia Decas, a volunteer with Associated Humane Societies. Decas emphasized the emotional toll of Randy’s long stay: “He is about 3 years old so he has been at the shelter for a significant portion of his life.”

Decas said Randy has shown both behavioral and physical changes during his time in the shelter. “During his time at the shelter he has grown increasingly anxious and has put on a lot of weight,” she said, noting that those signs reflect how prolonged shelter stays can affect an animal’s day-to-day life.

Shelter staff have assessed Randy’s temperament and needs and advise that he would do best in a home where he is the only pet. That recommendation, communicated by volunteers and staff, reflects the agency’s view of the environment in which Randy would most likely thrive. As covered by Nj, readers can explore more context around the event.

Volunteers say Randy’s profile has been listed on the shelter’s public-facing adoption materials and that they continue to promote his availability to prospective adopters. They have made appeals on-site and through the shelter’s routine channels, asking people to give longer-term kennel dogs like Randy a chance.

Randy’s circumstances mirror patterns reported in broader coverage of long-stay shelter animals. Advocates and some media outlets have highlighted how extended stays can lead to weight gain, anxiety and other changes that complicate adoption prospects. Observers point to multiple factors that contribute to long shelter stays; volunteers in Randy’s case note one commonly discussed issue is that darker-colored dogs are often overlooked.

“Black dogs historically get overlooked at the shelter which I think plays a big role in why Randy has been waiting so long,” Decas said, urging adopters to consider dogs who have languished in kennels. “My heart is breaking for Randy,” she added.

Coverage of other long-term shelter residents and analyses of the psychological and physiological impacts of kennel life on dogs can be found in outlets including NJ.com and in examinations of shelter-related stress such as reporting collected by Psychology Today.

Staff and volunteers at the Newark shelter continue to advocate for Randy, encouraging those considering adoption to review his profile and the agency’s guidance about his needs. Until a permanent home is found, Randy remains at the Associated Humane Societies Newark Shelter, where volunteers say he needs — and deserves — a forever home.

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Original reporting: view the original article.