Dog Getting Adopted After 370 Days In A Shelter Is Bringing Everyone To Tears
Most animal shelters share the same mission of caring for unwanted dogs and cats while helping them find forever families. Sometimes, certain dogs end up staying in shelters longer than others — dogs like Cooper. He spent a little over a year at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in Halifax, England. When he was released to greet his adopter, he couldn't contain his emotions, and neither could the staff. RSPCA shared the heartwarming moment on TikTok on October 1, 2025.
@rspca_halifax_hudds_bfd It doesn't get more emotional than this... every follow, like, share and repost truly helps us find more forever homes for animals in need – THANK YOU! 🫶🐾🥹🏡 #Emotional #gotchaday #adopted #rescuedog #goinghome
In the video, Cooper is seen excitedly wagging his tail and entire body as he walks down the hall toward his new owner. When he sees him, he jumps up to his chest to greet him. Seeing his joy brought both the staff and TikTok viewers to tears. "Is someone chopping onions?!" one person jokingly asked. Another commented, "This fills my heart with joy." One viewer said, "Every dog in the world deserves this moment."
Formerly an outdoor dog, Cooper was rescued from conditions no dog should have to live in. Although he was likely grateful to have a roof over his head and food and water every day at the shelter, the one thing he still lacked was a loving home. His opportunity finally came in September. After a family met and interacted with him several times, they decided he was the one. Sadly, some dogs wait 900 days or more for their forever homes, but if more people chose the "don't shop, adopt" philosophy, no dog would have to wait this long.
Why you should adopt a rescued shelter dog
Fay Gibbons, the digital lead at RSPCA, told Newsweek that Cooper is now "enjoying long walks, sleeps on the sofa, plenty of cuddles, and all the love he waited so patiently for," according to his new family. His story alone serves as a reason to adopt a rescue, as opposed to buying from a breeder or store. By adopting a rescued dog from a shelter, you're essentially giving that animal a second chance at life. You're committing to giving it a cozy, safe, peaceful, loving environment, which just might be the first one it's ever had, but this isn't the only reason.
Choosing to adopt a dog from a shelter could also save that dog's life, if the facility euthanizes unadopted pets. Unfortunately, due to space restrictions, some open-admission shelters simply cannot accommodate every pet they receive or lack sufficient resources, so they euthanize based on the longest duration. Some facilities, such as the Harris County Animal Shelter, euthanize dogs if they are not adopted within 15 days after their arrival.
Adopting a rescue dog like Cooper can also be rewarding and give you a sense of purpose, which can do wonders for your mental health. In the eyes of the dog you adopt, you'll be a hero, a life changer, and its favorite person. It will love you unconditionally, help you destress, and give you a reason to get outside, and hopefully, it will show just as much joy to see you on adoption day as Cooper did on his. Interested in more adoption stories? Check out the owner who spoils their rescue dog with all his favorite things to celebrate his 7th birthday.