A dog who has set a record for being the longest resident at a Kentucky animal shelter is looking for his forever home. Could you be his new human?
The 5½-year-old pit bull mix named Donatello first moved to Woodford Humane Society in Versailles on May 13, 2019.
The stray dog was picked up by animal control running loose in Woodford County and when he wasn’t claimed, Woodford Humane Society took him in, said Beth Oleson, marketing director for the humane society.
Since then, he has watched idly as countless dogs left the shelter to start their new lives, the shelter wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post about the doggo, naming him pet of the week.
“He has been homeless for four years,” the shelter wrote on May 8. “FOUR YEARS. Donatello has watched 1,189 other dogs and puppies walk past him through the kennel on their way to forever homes … he is now officially our longest resident ever.”
Previously, a dog named Mercedes was the shelter’s longest resident, the post read. She was adopted in 2012 after spending three years, 11 months and six days at Woodford Humane Society.
Why hasn’t he been adopted yet?
The shelter said Donatello has qualities that lots of pet-seekers shy away from: he’s a large, black dog, he’s older and he’s a pit bull.
But the shelter said and there are many things that make him amazing, including the fact that he is house-trained, crate-trained and great with kids (although the shelter recommends older children who aren’t so easy for him to knock over when he’s excited).
Donatello is also “a belly-rub connoisseur” and “zooms for about 5 minutes at a time, then couch potatoes for hours,” the shelter wrote in its post. He’s also a pretty patient guy and does well getting dolled up for photoshoots.
The shelter just asks that those interested in adopting him keep one more important thing in mind: he’s best suited for a home with no other animals.
“He is a king, he knows it, and he will accept no pretenders to the throne,” the shelter wrote.
The shelter ended its post with one final plea for the neutered, 62-pound pit bull mix: look past the stereotypes of his breed, color and size and give him a chance.
“Donatello is happy here, and he is endlessly patient,” the shelter wrote. “He has a home with us for as long as it takes. But after four years … of watching other dogs go home…can it finally be Donatello’s turn?”
Those interested in adopting him can contact Woodford Humane Society and make an adoption appointment at 859-873-5491.
