By Alice GibbsShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberOne Kentucky shelter is celebrating a heartwarming milestone this Thanksgiving—after 540 days in their care, a shy, brindle mixed-breed dog named Francesca has finally found a forever home.
Logan County Animal Care and Control in Russellville, Kentucky shared the good news in a Facebook video posted on November 26 where they said: “Excuse us while we go cry for a minute. After a whopping 540 days… Francesca got adopted!!!”
The adoption came just in time for the holiday, marking a life-changing turning point for the 2-year-old dog who had spent nearly her entire life waiting for someone to choose her.
A Tough Start In Life
According to the shelter, Francesca didn’t have an easy start in life. She and several littermates were brought in cramped inside a crate, having grown up in such tight quarters that they developed survival behaviors early on.
Francesca, smaller and more timid than her siblings, was often bullied. The experience left her fearful, and staff said she would cower even during mealtimes—something that required patience and time to overcome.
Despite a difficult start, the shelter described her as “a very sweet girl who wants to be loved,” but for months, nobody came forward to give her a chance.
In the first half of 2025, U.S. shelters took in about 1.41 million dogs, according to Shelter Animals Count. Despite a slight decline in intake compared to 2024, shelters remain overcrowded, with more dogs entering than leaving.
...A Thanksgiving To Remember
Her long wait ended after a feature by WNKY News 40, where Francesca appeared as “Pet of the Day.” Her future family saw the segment, fell in love, and soon made the drive to Russellville to meet the dog who had captured their hearts through a screen.
“The day everyone here at the shelter had been praying for finally came!” the shelter wrote.
They thanked her adopters for “giving this sweet girl a chance,” adding that while staff would miss seeing her every day, they were overjoyed knowing she was heading to “an amazing and loving home.”
After nearly a year and a half behind shelter walls, Francesca will spend this Thanksgiving not in a kennel—but at home, surrounded by people who chose her.
“Happy life, sweet girl. You deserve it so, so much,” the shelter said.
Newsweek reached out to Logan County Animal Care and Control via email for comment.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
LifeOne Question on X Was Viewed Over 700M Times—Then the Account Got Suspended3 min read
Family & ParentingPregnant Bridesmaid Decides To ‘Guest Swap’ Husband, Shock at What Follows4 min read
PetsShelter Dog Enjoying Day Out Has Saddest Reaction When Realizing He’s Back3 min read
PetsTears at What Senior Dog Still Tries to Do After Losing Vision to Diabetes3 min read
LifeDog Gets ‘Social Anxiety’ When Meeting Puppy, His Reaction Goes Viral3 min read
Home & GardenWoman Has a Plan To Give Room ‘Old’ Aesthetic—Then It Goes Horribly Wrong3 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
NewsSarah Beckstrom, Andrew Wolfe Identified as National Guard Shooting Victims4 min read
NewsUncommon Knowledge: Trump Has Biden to Thank for $274 Ozempic4 min read
NewsWinter Storm Map Shows Areas Possibly Getting Hit for Thanksgiving3 min read
NewsNational Guard Shooting Suspect Worked With CIA, Director Says3 min read
WorldUkraine War Live Updates—Russia Praises Trump ‘Realism’, Putin Promises Allies New Weapons2 min read
PoliticsJD Vance’s Chances of Being 2028 GOP Nominee Plunging: Polls5 min readTrending
New York8 Million Inflation Refund Checks Sent Out Ahead of Thanksgiving4 min read
WeatherWinter Storm Warning As 20 Inches of Snow To Hit: ‘Life-Threatening’4 min read
Live BlogThanksgiving Winter Storm Live Tracker, 2,000 Flights Delayed, Up To 3 ft Of Snow Expected1 min read
Live BlogDC Shooting: Two Shot National Guard Members and Suspect Pictured—Live Updates2 min read
DogsAfter 2 Days at Daycare, German Shepherd’s Return Goes Viral: ‘Never Again’3 min readOpinion
OpinionConventional Wisdom: The Anti-Thanksgiving Edition3 min read
OpinionHow to Remain Grounded and Thankful Amid the Chaos5 min read
OpinionThis Thanksgiving, Affordability Isn’t Just About the Turkey. It’s Everyday, Every Bill, Every Choice | Opinion4 min read
OpinionINTERPOL Must Not Elect One of Its Chief Abusers As Its Next President | Opinion4 min read
OpinionWhy We Care About Turkey Costs | Opinion5 min read
