Bruno the Dachshund Mix Finds New Home After Terrified Shelter Stay

Some pet placements don't last forever, and animals can wind up in a shelter for reasons that have nothing to do with their own behavior. Each case is unique, and it can be painful to witness. Baldwin Park Animal Care Center handles tough surrenders regularly, and its team works to give the animals in its care a new beginning by telling their stories on social media.

An Instagram post from the center recently featured Bruno, a one-year-old Dachshund mix who came in as an "owner surrender." That label means his previous owner ran into circumstances that made keeping the dog impossible. For Bruno, the reason given was a landlord issue.

In the clip the animal care center shared, Bruno was visibly having a hard time. He trembled and shook, and although that kind of reaction is probably common in such situations, watching him so frightened of his unfamiliar surroundings was deeply upsetting.

Around the middle of the video, though, the footage shifts to a brighter scene: Bruno is outdoors, enjoying affection from a shelter worker. He appeared somewhat uneasy still, but noticeably calmer and more at ease.

The Housing Crunch Behind Many Pet Surrenders

Pets are given up for a wide range of reasons, but climbing housing costs—pet deposits among them—are pushing animal lovers to part with their four-legged family members far more often than in years past.

A study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science spanning 2019 to 2023 found that housing-related intakes made up 14% of all intakes in data drawn from 21 shelters. Pet restrictions, landlord problems, loss of housing, and owners without homes were among the housing-related reasons cited.

Bruno's time at the animal care center was short, thanks in all likelihood to the efforts of staff who devote themselves to rescuing animals. An update posted today announced that the sweet Dachshund had already been adopted and was on his way to his new home. Below is Bruno's adoption update, shared on Instagram: