“My name is Robert. I’m 47 years old, I have a family, a career, a master’s degree, a pet, and I’m homeless.”
Those are the heartbreaking words of one man whose entire life felt like it was falling apart after getting evicted from his home along with his two children and his dog, Meaty. They had nowhere to turn and at one point, so they turned to transitional housing. While this gave hid kids a roof over their heads, such shelters don’t allow pets in for obvious reasons. That’s when Robert decided that he’d camp out in his car with Meaty so that he wouldn’t have to give him up.
But after a while, this became an unlivable situation. That’s when he went to a local animal rescue to make an unusual but clever request. He asked if anyone would be able to foster Meaty for a few months while the family got back on their feet. A gut-wrenching video of Robert, who was devastated, leaving Meaty at the shelter went viral, and it caught the attention of Gina Knepp, manager of Sacramento’s Front Street Animal Shelter.
The shelter spread Robert and Meaty’s story online in hopes of finding a foster home and raising some money. Then something incredible happened. An anonymous woman who owns a transitional shelter said that he, his family, and Meaty could live there together. Watch this incredible story unfold in the video below and share if it touched your heart!
Help Robert keep his beloved dog
Update: A big thanks to everyone who liked, shared, stepped up and donated!! We are happy to announce that we have found a rental home for Robert and Meaty. We will post an update of them in their new place soon.And a big thanks to everyone who has agreed to help foster dogs just like Meaty in the future, the need is huge and the purpose is critical.This man was forced to surrender his beloved dog to our shelter after becoming homeless. Now, he’s hoping someone out there can care for his dog until he gets back on his feet. Robert has a master’s degree, but became homeless after being evicted. He adopted Meaty from our shelter several months ago when he still had a home. Because few homeless shelters allow dogs, he’s been sleeping in his car with Meaty laying on his chest. He refused to take shelter, because he didn’t want Meaty to be cold and alone. Can someone help this deserving man keep the dog he loves? We’ll provide food and supplies if you can provide Meaty with a safe space for a month or so until Robert gets into suitable housing. Please email LRhoades@CityOfSacramento.org if you can help. Meaty is a lovebug, very mellow, and good with other dogs.
Posted by Front Street Animal Shelter – City of Sacramento on Wednesday, March 21, 2018
