Shelter Dog Pays a Heavy Price for Just Being a ‘Different Kind of Handsome’

A video of shelter dog Joshua, a Pit Bull, shows that he has spent nearly two years waiting at a small rural shelter, where his goofy smile and loving personality have failed to attract even one potential adopter. Now, with his second shelter anniversary approaching, his advocates are desperately hoping someone will finally look past his appearance and give this five-year-old dog the home he has been waiting for.

Shelter dog spends nearly two years inside kennel bars without a single human interested to meet him

Joshua reportedly arrived at the shelter at around 2 or 3 years old. Today, he is about 5, meaning he has spent a huge portion of his adult life inside the same shelter. The situation becomes even more heartbreaking when you consider how little opportunity Joshua has had to experience life outside his kennel. Avenal Animal Shelter is a tiny rural facility with just three staff members and only one volunteer day each month for dog walks. According to the rescue appeal, Joshua spends almost all of his time essentially in his kennel. He has no bed, toys, bones, or blanket to make the space feel like home.

Not a single person has asked to meet him during his nearly two-year stay. With so much time to pass, he developed a repetitive habit inside his kennel. He started chewing on the same kennel bar over and over again. He continued the habit for months, eventually wearing his teeth down to tiny nubs, even though he is only about five years old. Joshua may be described as “a different kind of handsome,” but his biggest appeal goes far beyond his looks. The rescue describes Joshua as a dog who does not need much. Joshua reportedly gets along well with other dogs and stays calm around cats. He is also loving, smart, and eager to bond with someone.

Joshua’s shelter anniversary is coming up, giving him a chance to start a new chapter. His supporters hope his two-year anniversary will not mark another year at the shelter, but the day he finally walks out. Joshua is at Avenal Animal Shelter, at 1284 Hydril Rd, Avenal, CA. The shelter can be reached at (559) 633-3115 and is open Monday through Friday, from 10 AM to 4 PM.