25/05/2026
Unfortunately, we have some very upsetting news about Bruno. This is a long and difficult story, but we want to share everything openly so nothing is misunderstood.
We received an overwhelming number of applications for Bruno, and many were turned down due to the specific needs he has. Together with Happy Shelter, we were extremely careful about finding the right home for him. Anyone who applies to adopt one of our rescues goes through extensive checks, and with Bruno we were even more thorough.
After detailed application forms, house checks, and long phone calls discussing Bruno, the home environment, and setting very clear expectations, we genuinely believed we had found the perfect forever home for him.
They came to collect Bruno, and at first, everything seemed fine.
Less than 24 hours later, Happy Shelter was contacted to say they could not keep him. Bruno was understandably very scared, and despite being given advice and support on how to handle a dog like him, the adopters felt overwhelmed and decided they could not continue. This was heartbreaking for all of us, and our immediate focus became making sure Bruno was safe and supported.
At that point, there were actually two successful applications for Bruno who had both passed all checks and were genuinely ideal. The only reason we had chosen the first couple was simply because they lived closer to us.
Happy Shelter reached back out to the second applicant. She was understandably upset about what had happened and wanted to fully understand Bruno’s situation before making a decision. We spoke with her openly and honestly, gave her all the information we had, and she chose to go ahead and adopt him.
It felt like a solution had finally been found.
Sadly, after just two days, the same thing happened again. This time, we were told that unexpected health news meant they could no longer keep Bruno. We were completely shocked. At this point, there was also significant pressure to have Bruno removed from the home as quickly as possible.
Every adopter signs a contract with Happy Shelter stating that if a dog cannot be kept, they must remain in the adopter’s care until a suitable solution is found and the dog can only be transferred with Happy Shelter’s approval. Despite this, Bruno was taken to a rescue shelter.
This was devastating. After everything he had been through, the idea that Bruno had ended up back in a shelter was incredibly hard for all of us to process.
Sadly, bringing Bruno back to our home was not an option. We still had multiple dogs, and Bruno needed a calm, quiet environment. As you know from our videos, our home is anything but quiet, and it simply would not have been the right place for him.
Happy Shelter is now in communication with the shelter where Bruno is currently staying. We are keeping them anonymous. The situation has been extremely distressing, and while we always do everything possible to carefully match dogs to their forever homes, very occasionally things do go wrong despite every check being done.
Bruno has been struggling in the shelter environment. After a few weeks there, their vet advised that if he could not find a home, he should be euthanised. Happy Shelter was told there was a seven day timeframe before this were to happen, which was absolutely devastating to hear.
Happy Shelter has been working non stop to find a solution, even since Bruno first got there. They have requested an extension and are arranging for Bruno to be transported back to North Macedonia towards the end of January. In the meantime, they believe they have found a temporary foster to get him out of the shelter as soon as possible. The absolute priority right now is making sure Bruno is safe and does not get euthanised.
The hope is to bring Bruno back to where he knows, even if it means his chances of adoption are lower. At the very least, he would be able to live out his life in what he likely still considers home.
This is an incredibly sad situation where Bruno has been failed by multiple people. Due to his conditions, he wasn’t the easiest dog, and we were always honest about that. But we truly believed he would thrive in the right slow, quiet home if given the chance. Unfortunately, he never really got that chance.
Also he really wasn’t that hard to look after either, he slept most of the day once he was comfortable, so this whole situation is just unbelievable.
We will continue to keep you all updated. What was meant to be a fresh start for Bruno and the beginning of his forever life in the UK has turned into this just crazy, heartbreaking situation. Every check was done, every precaution was taken, and no stone was left unturned. Sometimes, despite doing everything right, a chain of events unfolds that no one could have predicted.
Bruno is the priority right now, getting him back to Happy Shelter so he can live out the rest of his life with his friends
