Dog Dumped in Freezing Parking Lot Wrapped in Plastic Ready for New Family

After being left in the parking lot of a local animal control office, one pit bull remains hopeful that a new family will give him the love he deserves.

Illinois-based It's a Pittie Rescue, a group focused on rescuing, rehabbing and re-homing the pit bull breed, saved Champ after he arrived in critical condition. He was left tied up in a parking lot, abandoned in -30 degree weather, with wounds over his body and wrapped in plastic wrap.

Despite what this 4-year-old dog has been through, It's a Pittie Rescue shared that Champ is resilient and he shows just how forgiving dogs can be in an April 17 Facebook post. The caption describes Champ as a "lap dog" who is "excited about life" and has no problem smothering you with kisses.

The shelter is hoping the post about Champ, showcasing his positive and infectious smile, will connect him to his forever home.

Champ resides with his foster family, where he is learning to be more like a dog every day. He knows the command "sit" and is working on other basic dog commands, the foster owner shared with the rescue.

Champ has done well on walks, although the rescue noted he does pull a bit. It is believed he will calm down. He is crate-trained and responsible enough to be left in his room outside the crate without causing damage.

Newsweek reached out to It's a Pittie Rescue for additional information.

The Facebook post had over 263 likes, 105 shares and 14 comments as of Monday.

"So happy this gorgeous boy is figuring out how to be a dog and is starting to live the good life he deserves," commented one user.

Another added: "What a resilient cutie. Hope he finds a loving furever home asap. Thank you to his rescuers and carers!"

Each year, 6.3 million pets enter U.S. shelters, an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet "Shelter Watch Report" found.

Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.

And, unfortunately, it's harder for pit bulls to get out of the shelter system. The shelter stay time for pit bulls is about three times longer than any other breed, according to the World Animal Foundation. Factors in the long stays could include landlords prohibiting the breed as pets and the breed's reputation making prospective adopters skittish. Other dogs might also be mistakenly labeled as pit bulls because of their appearance. Pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs make up about 40 percent of all dogs euthanized in shelters yearly.

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