Senior dog left at shelter to be put down is adopted by kind veterinarian — she went on to live her best life

Netty, an adorable senior dog, finally found a second chance at life after her previous owner surrendered her for euthanization. Netty entered the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) in 2010, but a family adopted her three days later. However, a decade later, the family returned to the Philadelphia shelter, requesting that the authorities euthanize their 15-year-old pup. The dog was old and had incontinence difficulties because of her age, but she definitely didn't deserve unnatural death, and so the team decided against the owner's request. 

The veterinary team took Netty under their care, and with proper medication, her health improved substantially. On August 8, 2022, the shelter team turned to Facebook, urging potential adopters to provide Netty with the life she deserved. "This old gal is sitting in a shelter in what could be her final days. We don’t want that for her. So, we are looking for a home where she can spend whatever time she has left," they wrote. Netty was a wonderful and pretty "low-maintenance" dog who, the shelter said, could easily survive with other animals and kids. However, despite her strength, her owners wanted her to die, only because she was old. Luckily, Netty's adoption plea reached Amy Kidd, a veterinarian, whose family had lost their 12-year-old rescue dog to cancer just a month ago. "As soon as I saw her face, I was like, okay, she’s the one that needs to come to my house," Kidd shared with The Washington Post. 

Kidd, caregiver to six senior dogs, also owned Popcopson Veterinary Station in West Chester, the outlet reported. When she heard about Netty, she knew she had to step in, and hence, she drove forty miles to get Netty home, along with her kids. Once she arrived, she instantly felt at home, and as her new owner described, she "just settled in right away." With care, the family had Netty's incontinence and other health issues under control. "She is officially the queen bee of the house," Kidd shared. On August 15, the Philadelphia shelter posted another picture on Facebook, sharing a heartwarming update on Netty. 

Meanwhile, reacting to the heartfelt post, Cheryl Steele commented, "I'm so happy for this beautiful senior dog! Thank you to the lovely vet for taking her, but shame on her previous owners. They know who they are, and they should be ashamed of themselves." Similarly, Suzann Jimenez shared, "It is so wonderful what your family does. I'm so happy that Netty found a wonderful, loving home to live the rest of her years. Seniors are wonderful dogs. I wish I had the space to adopt some senior dogs. It's so sad they get overlooked in the shelters. I hope more seniors are adopted after reading your story. Thank you for saving Netty."

On the other hand, Diane Fediw wrote, "This is so wonderful for Netty. Living her best life ever! This family has so much love to share. It seems to me that they are building the dog's heart…FANTASTIC!" Another user who goes by Joe Barr said, "Look at Netty, everybody. She is in heaven at her new home! She looks so happy. Oh, we need more happy endings like this. Tears of joy, continued prayers, and shares for this wonderful family!" Echoing the sentiments, Jacqueline Shultz commented, "Photos like this of adopted dogs 'living the dream' must make everyone at the PSPCA so happy. THIS is why you do the work for these animals. To see them get adopted and then to receive these photos and updates down the road. Netty cannot verbally thank everyone at the PSPCA, but hopefully her smile says it all."

You can follow the Pennsylvania SPCA for more shelter stories.