A shelter dog has found a forever home after heartbreaking footage of her in the shelter captured hearts across the world.
Lila the dog took the internet by storm in a video on TikTok with more than 1.8 million views.
The video, posted by Southeast Missouri Pets in Missouri, featured Lila’s soulful eyes as she sat in her kennel, staring at the camera.
In the caption, they wrote: “POV: you lock eyes with a dog at the shelter,” and it struck an emotional chord with viewers who rushed to share their reactions.
“Why are you breaking my heart?” said Ash. While Rachel Lamell wrote: “Oh she’d be coming home with me instantly.”
“I seriously want to cry for this dog,” wrote Britta. While Tasia said: “The pain in that baby’s eyes is physically hurting me.”
“Yeahhh she would be mine if I lived anywhere near this shelter,” said Skylar. While viewer Quincy said: “I’m crying.”
Viewer Jordyn agreed: “Oh I’m crying just looking at her.”
The overwhelming response led to an outpouring of adoption interest, and five days later, the shelter shared the news that everyone was waiting for—Lila had found her forever home.
@semopets/TikTok
In a follow-up video, Southeast Missouri Pets expressed gratitude for the love shown to Lila, but also emphasized a crucial message: “Shelters everywhere are filled with ‘Lilas’—loving, deserving dogs in need of families,” they said in another video. “We’re overwhelmed by the love for Lila. Please remember there are so many more just like her in shelters everywhere. Become a hero, adopt!!!”
Newsweek reached out to Southeast Missouri Pets via email for comment.
While Lila’s story had a happy ending, millions of shelter animals across the U.S. are still waiting for their own second chance. According to Shelter Animals Count, 3.12 million animals entered U.S. shelters in the first half of 2024—a decrease from the same period in 2023. However, the number of animals in shelters remains high, with 322,000 more pets entering shelters than leaving them during this period.
Around 369,000 animals experienced non-live outcomes—including euthanasia, death in care, and being lost in care—in the first half of 2024, a slight decrease of 5 percent compared to 2023.
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