“She is just a baby who wants love.”
Squirrel is an affectionate pup who loves nothing more than hugs and cuddles.
Unfortunately, because Squirrel lives in a shelter, she doesn’t have access to the endless snuggles she deserves.
It wasn’t always that way — Squirrel used to have a family. But right before Hurricane Helene hit Florida, they abandoned her. Mercy Full Project, a Tampa-based animal shelter, found her wandering around outside and took her in before the storm touched down.
“Consequently, she has severe abandonment issues,” Mercy Full Project said on TikTok.
When Squirrel first arrived at Mercy Full Project, she was badly shaken up.
“She’s just a little puppy and was so scared,” Mercy Full Project said.
The only thing that comforts Squirrel is getting picked up and held. Whenever a shelter staff member walks by her kennel, she jumps up and down, demanding a hug. She will even climb up the bars of her kennel — several feet off the ground — and lock eyes with anyone who passes by.
A Mercy Full Project TikTok shows the moment a shelter worker caves in to Squirrel’s plea for attention. When she enters Squirrel’s kennel, Squirrel jumps up and down with excitement. But as soon as the worker picks Squirrel up, she immediately relaxes.
“She is just a baby who wants love,” a commenter wrote on TikTok.
As much as the Mercy Full Project staff love giving Squirrel all the affection she craves, what she really needs is a family who can focus all their attention on her — a forever home.
Squirrel is available for adoption through Mercy Full Project’s website.
“Adopt Squirrel if you want a clingy snuggle bug,” the shelter said on TikTok.
Thankfully, the shelter reported that many people have already submitted adoption applications for Squirrel. Before long, Squirrel will never again have to climb kennel bars when she wants a hug.
“She’s so excited to find a home,” Mercy Full Project said on TikTok.
