A woman visiting a California animal shelter stopped in her tracks after spotting an unlikely breed waiting for his forever home: a corgi.
Known for their short stature, corgis are an intelligent and playful breed, making them perfectly fit for a queen. In 2024, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi came in at No. 15 on the list of most popular dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club. However, like any dog breed, corgis sometimes find themselves in animal shelters for no fault of their own.
Maria, who is known on Instagram as @furry_friends_85, visited the Merced County Animal Services in California when she saw the corgi that arrived with no name, no tag and no microchip. The caption on her December 4 Instagram post read she “can’t believe” she found this breed in the shelter. She played with him during her visit, hopeful her video would connect him to a forever home.
“I don’t know why they were brought in, other than they were found, taken in, and were not claimed,” she told Newsweek via Instagram. “This happens a lot in my area for most dogs, regardless of breed.”
While seeing a corgi came as a shock, this would not be the first or last time a popular breed landed in a shelter. Maria said another purebred corgi was brought into the shelter last week. It took three meet-and-greet sessions to connect her with an adopter.
Luckily, the corgi Maria first saw had the same happy ending and was adopted. His owners have since named him Gnocchi.
“This shelter needs more attention,” she said. “They get a lot of purebred dogs and wonderful mutts too.”
The most common dog breed you’ll see at shelters is pit bulls, largely due to the breed’s negative stereotype, an article from Adopt a Pet stated. But purebreds, even the most popular ones, can have the same fate. Popularity drives adoption rates or purchases, naturally leading to a higher surrender rate. These surrenders might occur because of unpreparedness or life changes.
Huskies, German shepherds and golden retrievers are among purebreds surrendered to shelters.
Viewer Reactions
In five days, the Instagram post reached over 215,000 views, 13,100 likes and 366 comments, with people feeling as confused as Maria about the corgi at the shelter.
“That breed doesn’t belong in a shelter! It’s too special!!” wrote a viewer.
Another added: “This breaks my heart… Corgis are the sweetest and smartest dogs. He looks like such a gentle boy.”
A third pointed out: “The cries in the background. I hope this baby finds his forever family.”
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