Meet Kuno: The Heartbroken Dog Looking for His Forever Home

A 2-year-old dog named Kuno faced abandonment for a second time when his new owner returned him just hours after adoption, claiming he didn’t get along with other dogs.

Kuno’s heartbreaking story was shared by the Gangneung Animal Shelter in Gangwon Province. The shelter had cared for the abandoned dog until he found what they hoped would be a forever home on Saturday around 1:30 p.m. Sadly, his new owners brought him back just seven hours later, stating, “We can’t keep him with our other dogs.”

Adding insult to injury, Kuno’s new family had shaved off all his fur except for his head during their brief time together. “It’s disheartening to see him abandoned again,” a shelter spokesperson said. “We’re at a loss for how to showcase his appeal to potential adopters now.”

The shelter regularly shares photos and videos of their dogs, along with details like gender and estimated age. In a new post about Kuno uploaded late Saturday, they included both current photos and images from before his unexpected makeover.

“Kuno still loves people,” the shelter emphasized. “We’re hoping he finds his true family before his spirit is broken. Please consider giving him a chance, but only if you’re prepared to commit to him for life, not just on a whim.”

While pet abandonment remains a significant issue in the U.S., with over 100,000 animals left behind each year, there has been a slight decrease from the 135,791 reported in 2019. According to recent data, animal shelters across the country took in 106,824 abandoned pets in 2024.