Lonely German Shepherd Rescued After Years in a Cage

For four years, Timothy, a German Shepherd, lived in a tiny cage in rural North Carolina. Until PETA intervened and found him a loving family.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/06/09/dog-spent-four-years-cage-rescued-new-home-family-love/91565531/

A German Shepherd named Timothy spent four years, approximately 1,460 days, confined to a small cage in rural North Carolina. PETA fieldworkers spotted him and offered his owner assistance. After four years, the owner surrendered Timothy to PETA.

"Fieldworkers regularly visit rural areas of Virginia and North Carolina to offer help for dogs who would otherwise go without food, water, shelter, and routine veterinary care. When they spotted Timothy in a dilapidated pen on a small property, they offered his then-owner their assistance," Maddy Missett, PETA spokesperson.

Timothy was placed in a foster home before being adopted by a family in Syracuse, New York. His new family, Mike and Lori Fletcher, said:

"We cannot express how much we love him. Timothy has quickly become part of our family. He was enjoying the walks in the woods, car rides to get more toys and puppy cones. He loves to snuggle and in true German Shepherd style, he is always at our side to see what we are doing... We are finding ways to limit his activity but still be with us both in and outside," they said, referring to Timothy's heartworm treatment limitations.

Despite Timothy's rescue, PETA estimates countless dogs remain in similar situations. Daphna Nachminovitch, PETA Senior Vice President, said:

“Timothy has found a loving home, but countless other dogs like him remain penned or chained outside 24/7 without adequate food, water, shelter, or social interaction. PETA urges everyone to keep dogs indoors with the rest of the family and to talk with their elected officials about banning unattended tethering, which will help ensure that these sensitive animals aren’t kept chained outside 24/7 like old bicycles.”