Red The Dog Finally Adopted: Hard-Luck Pooch Captured Hearts In NJ

NEWARK, NJ — Red’s quest for a home is finally at an end, rescuers say.

On Friday, Heart & Soul Dog Rescue Inc. announced that Red – a hard-luck dog who captured the hearts of animal lovers across New Jersey – has been adopted after nearly three years.

The pooch recently captured hearts across North Jersey when rescuers put out an adoption call, saying that the “once rambunctious and lively spirited dog” had become melancholy and depressed after more than 700 days behind bars at the Associated Humane Societies in Newark.

It was a plight that hit home with many Patch readers, who shared the call to rescue Red far and wide on social media. Read More: NJ Dog Is Struggling With Depression After 2 Years In Shelter

Last winter, Heart & Soul Dog Rescue Inc. – a nonprofit rescue that helped to find Red a permanent place to crash – announced that there was a plan to temporarily house him at the home of the group’s president. From there, trainers planned to work with Red until he was ready for a foster home – or a forever family.

As Red’s internet fame spread and he began to appear on the local news, waves of applicants began reaching out to Heart & Soul about fostering or adopting him. Most of them were about “wanting the dog on TV” – and so the search for a permanent home continued.

But eventually, Red’s future dad spotted him and knew they were a match. And thus, a “long road” for the formerly depressed dog has finally reached its end, rescuers say.

“Red, live your best life,” Heart & Soul Dog Rescue wrote Friday, thanking his adopter for giving him the chance he deserves. “Congratulations to all and happy life, Red!”

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