A recent video of urban explorers discovering dogs in an abandoned hospital in the Chicago area left viewers wondering what they did afterward.
Instagram user @lordexplores recently walked through an abandoned hospital when he stumbled upon a room of dogs. In the November 2 clip, dogs started barking nonstop as the two urban explorers inched toward the glass door. They hesitated, unsure what to do, but they looked at clues before turning around and leaving.
First, they noticed supplies inside the room, indicating someone was living there. They also pointed out that a chair was pushed up against the door to lock others out. To them, that meant someone was inside, prompting one of them to ask: "Should we get the hell out of here?"
This wasn't the first time he has discovered animals while exploring abandoned buildings. He told Newsweek via Instagram: "I've found dogs and cats before. One time we rescued cats from an abandoned house. Another time there was a protective dog with puppies inside an abandoned church that trapped us inside for over an hour!"
In this case, the two promptly left. He returned three days later with dog food, but this time no dogs or people were inside. He said items such as propane tanks and a sleeping bag were left behind, cementing his belief that someone had been there.
The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that roughly 653,100 people, or about 20 out of 10,000 people, in the country experienced homelessness in 2023, an increase of about 70,650 people from 2022.
Nearly four in 10 people experienced unsheltered homelessness in places not meant for human habitation, which includes abandoned buildings like the hospital in the video. A report from the Urban Institute found that about 211,000 people slept in unsheltered locations in 2019. The report said those living in unsheltered locations are historically individuals.
About 1,634 individuals lived in unsheltered locations in Chicago, according to the city's website. The number was a 65 percent increase from the year prior, but the city noted that number could have been driven by counting method improvements.
While the two urban explorers agreed that someone was living there and looking after the dogs, others shared the same sentiment in the comment section.
"Those are not no abandoned dogs. They look well-fed and taken care of. Plus the chair on the door. Definitely homeless," commented one viewer.
A second added: "Def someone living there, ain't no way that many dogs in there by themselves."
Another wrote: "They look in good shape so I'm thinking they're squatters dogs."
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