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By Jack Beresford
Senior Reporter
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A shelter puppy named Sawyer has been left to watch as each of his siblings get adopted while he's left behind, hoping and waiting to get a forever home of his own.
Sawyer was part of a litter that was rescued from a puppy mill and brought to Elmbrook Humane Society (EBHS) in Wisconsin, which partners with several rescue groups and individuals to save dogs from these facilities that might otherwise have been killed.
"The reasons dogs are released vary, but most often, we see older females that are no longer able to produce puppies. Recently we've seen an increase in the number of puppies being released, like Sawyer and his sibling," Natalie Hoskins, executive director at EBHS, told Newsweek.
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She added: "They may be rejected because they become too old to sell to pet stores, have health issues, or because they have enough/too many of that particular breed. Oftentimes dogs from mills are very sick, and many die in their cages from years of neglect and overbreeding."
Puppy mills remain a major problem in the United States. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) says that as many as 2.6 million puppies are sold each year that have originated from puppy mills. These facilities are often the sites of immense suffering with an estimated 500,000 dogs kept in captivity.
In many instances, these dogs are kept in conditions that are damaging to them both physically and mentally. Though the U.S. has anti-cruelty laws in place, the HSUS says many of these facilities are able to work around them "as long as the animals have the rudimentary basics of shelter, food, and water."
To many of these breeders, the dogs involved are seen as something akin to agricultural "crops" rather than pets. But puppies like Sawyer are a living reminder that these are living beings who deserve so much more.
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Hoskins does not know much about Sawyer's life before but said he and his siblings "adjusted pretty well to life at the shelter."
"Puppies tend to have an easier time adjusting regardless of their background," she said.
Even so, Sawyer cut a forlorn figure in the video the shelter posted to its TikTok page earlier this week, explaining how he was "sad, alone and in a cone" after seeing each of his siblings get adopted while he remains in the shelter unclaimed (the cone is because Sawyer was recently neutered.)
Not that Sawyer is down all the time of course.
"Sometimes we think he may actually enjoy the peace and quiet," Hoskins said.
However, efforts to find him some canine company at the shelter have backfired a little.
"We have also housed him with other puppies at the shelter to help with the transition," Hoskins said. "Unfortunately for him, his new friends keep getting adopted."
Despite this, Hoskins has a good idea of the kind of home Sawyer would be best suited to.
"Sawyer is a Cattle Dog, which means he has a lot of spunk! While a little shy at first, after some time to adjust we think he will grow into a confident and loving companion," she said. "He has recently found his voice, which is adorable in a puppy but not so much as an adult for most people."
Hoskins is keen to stress Sawyer will likely require puppy training classes to help him "gain confidence and prevent any unwanted behaviors" and that dogs of his breed need "regular exercise and mental stimulation."
Whoever ends up adopting Sawyer, they'll be getting a great dog.
"Cattle dogs are also incredibly smart, fun, and can be a great dog for many different people and families," Hoskins added.
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