Rescue Dog “Pilgrim” Up for Adoption

For the first time, Pilgrim the rescue dog got to meet his potential new parents after animal control officers found him badly abused.

“It’s one of the worst cases we’ve seen as far as neglect,” said Animal Control Officer Robert Yuchinick. “His fur was encrusted with urine and feces. It was so bad on his back legs he could barely walk.”

Pilgrim was abandoned outside the Humane Society last week, after years of neglect and abuse. A local groomer shaved off nearly eight pounds of matted fur.

“He’s estimated to be 4 or 5 years old, and he’d probably never been to the groomer until we brought him to the groomer,” Yuchinick said.

Day by day, Pilgrim is slowly recovering, and officers are selectively searching for a new home for the Cocker Spaniel.

“He’s doing better,” said Yuchinick. “He’s got some muscular issues. He’s probably been kept in a crate his entire life.”

Tolland resident Mackenzie Merza said she knew she had to visit Pilgrim as soon as she heard his story.

“It’s really sad,” she said. “He’s so cute and no dog deserves to be treated like that.”

So far, officials say there have been hundreds of calls from people who live as far away from Canada people looking to adopt Pilgrim, who earned his Thanksgiving.

“We thought pilgrim because like the original pilgrims he’s now looking for a new home,” Yuchinick said.

Animal control officers are asking prospective puppy parents to come meet Pilgrim in person. You can apply to adopt him by stopping by the Waterford-East Lyme Animal Control office.

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