Radiance, a 6-year-old pittie mix who lives at the Newark Associated Humane Society, is adored by all of the shelter’s staff members and volunteers. They describe her as a “sweetheart,” a “lovebug” and a “100% good girl.”
Radiance is not only loved by people who know her, but by people who’ve never met her, too. Over the past few months, a TikTok creator named Olivia Marcus has posted over 30 videos of Radiance to her account, and her audience has fallen in love with the sweet pup.
So how can it be that Radiance has spent over 400 days at the shelter with no adoption applications?
“Despite Radiance getting 1.5 million and counting views on videos about her that I think show how absolutely wonderful she is, she has still not had literally a single person apply to adopt her,” Marcus said in a TikTok. “She is still sitting in that kennel.”
A little over a year ago, Radiance was found as a lost dog and brought to the humane society. Because of her adorable looks and gentle personality, everyone at the shelter figured she would get adopted quickly.
But now, she’s the dog who’s been at the shelter the longest and has been deemed the “queen” of the Newark Associated Humane Society.
Marcus has no idea why no one seems to want Radiance. She has to be the only dog in a home, but other than that, doesn’t have any restrictions. She loves being around people and is well-behaved in public.
“I don’t understand it, she is the sweetest girl in the world,” Marcus said. “It is breaking my heart that she does not have a home yet.”
The overcrowded shelter environment is so hard on Radiance that she’s developed a stress-induced rash. She’s not meant to live in a loud shelter — she needs a peaceful home environment.
No matter what, Marcus won’t give up on helping Radiance get adopted.
“I think it’s so important for me to advocate for Radiance because she is not able to advocate for herself,” Marcus said in another creator’s TikTok.
Since Radiance is a queen, she deserves to be treated like one.
“There is still hope for her fairytale ending,” Marcus said.
