A senior dog who endured difficult living conditions has now found joy in Florida after a heartwarming retirement celebration.

Rusty, a mixed breed of Lab and Chow, believed to be between 10 to 12 years old, was rescued by PETA after a decade of being confined to isolation in North Carolina.

“For nearly ten years, PETA workers visited Rusty, who was kept tethered every day in a small dirt enclosure in North Carolina, bringing him food, toys, and warm bedding in the winter; providing him with as much comfort and companionship as they could; and urging his owner to let PETA find him a loving indoor home,” said PETA in a statement to YSL News earlier this week.

Despite PETA’s ongoing attempts, Rusty’s owner, whose name has not been disclosed, refused to relinquish him. In response, PETA staff continued their efforts by frequently bringing him food, toys, and treats, showering him with affection, providing a specially-built wooden shelter, ensuring his health needs were met, and neutering him at no cost, as stated by Rachel Bellis, PETA’s Director of Local Affairs.

“We are not law enforcement, so we can only visit as long as the owners permit,” Bellis explained. “We consistently advocated for Rusty’s surrender, asking the owner to let us find him a home where he could live indoors, but we cannot take a dog without the owner’s consent,” she emphasized.

Bellis noted that these situations can be very complex. It’s not possible to take a dog from its owner without extreme cases of neglect or abuse, which was not evident in Rusty’s situation.

“We did everything we could, and we were thrilled when Rusty’s previous owner finally decided to let PETA take him,” Bellis stated.

She expressed that Rusty’s former owner likely believed they were providing the best care possible and did have some level of affection for him.

Persistence pays off

PETA’s relentless efforts over nearly a decade finally triumphed when Rusty’s previous owner agreed to surrender him to find a new loving home.

“Our team of fieldworkers took inspiration from Rusty—he never gave up, and we didn’t either,” PETA remarked in a post on their website when Rusty was surrendered in July of this year. “Our determination worked.”

Rusty was liberated from his restrictive conditions, and after a short stay in foster care, where he celebrated his retirement with a fun party full of pupcakes, he was transported by PETA officer Chris Klug to his new home in Florida. Hannah Caldwell, Rusty’s new owner, “fell in love with him after reading about his story on PETA’s website and was eager to help him enjoy his golden years by playing on the beach and cuddling on the couch,” PETA shared.

‘Living his best life’

Rusty is currently “living his best life with his lovely new family in West Palm Beach, Florida,” according to Bellis.

“He is thriving. We occasionally receive updates, and we know he is in the best possible home, surrounded by love and respect, which is what every dog deserves,” Bellis remarked. “It couldn’t be better. His adoptive family is amazing.”

Not all dogs are as fortunate as Rusty: Shedding light on the struggles of chained dogs

Although Rusty was lucky enough to find a forever home, many dogs are not as fortunate, according to Bellis.

“It’s really hard to understand,” Bellis noted. “I was unaware that dogs could be left outside on chains, which we witness every day.”

She explained that cases of dogs being chained and isolated occur beyond just specific areas; the problem is widespread.

“This is happening all over the U.S. – dogs are often left outside, either chained or in small, confined spaces,” said Bellis. “It’s a national crisis, and we receive numerous calls from concerned citizens who spot dogs outside in harsh weather, particularly during the cold months.”

PETA is actively working to inform the public through billboards, radio spots, and social media, and they are collaborating with local and state authorities to enhance laws protecting pets and other animals. However, Bellis remarked, “there’s still much work to be done.”

PETA, while striving to rescue distressed dogs and pets, faces challenges and must proceed with caution, as Bellis explained. Often, they are reluctant to involve law enforcement to avoid upsetting pet owners, who may then refuse to allow access to the animals.

“We are very cautious about involving law enforcement, as it could mean losing access to that animal forever if the owners learn that PETA reported them,” Bellis stated, adding that PETA only seeks legal help when they encounter serious obstacles or when a dog urgently needs to be rescued.

“There have been instances when we’ve notified law enforcement, and for some reason, the owner found out we made the report, leading them to refuse us entry to their property again,” she continued. “We can only assist if the owners permit us, so we have to be strategic about when we notify authorities, as it risks losing our ability to help that dog.”

Regarding Rusty, PETA did alert animal control about his situation, but they were careful not to be too forceful because they had “an amicable relationship with the owner” and wanted to maintain access to Rusty, according to Bellis.

“We were hopeful that one day we could take him into our care,” she explained.

Report animal cruelty

Bellis urged people to stay observant and aware of their surroundings, especially during extreme weather, and to look out for any dogs or pets living in neglectful conditions.

“If you’re reading this, keep an eye out,” Bellis encouraged. “If it’s cold where you live, watch for dogs outdoors who might need help. We always encourage people to never ignore an animal in distress.”

Bellis mentioned that individuals can assist distressed pets by contacting local law enforcement or reaching out to PETA, which operates 24/7 and 365 days a year; PETA even has an after-hours paging system. Additionally, having a conversation with the pet owner might encourage them to bring their pet indoors to ensure a warm and safe environment.