As the holiday season approaches, animal rescues across the U.S. are bracing for a familiar and painful trend: a surge in abandoned dogs that one rescue is calling the “Christmas puppy dump.”
A recent video shared by West Cane Corso Rescue in California showed the moment a young cane corso puppy was walked into the shelter. The puppy is now safe, but his story reflects a much-larger crisis unfolding behind shelter doors.
Everyone Wants a Cane Corso—Until It Acts Like One
Hanna Thompson, who runs West Coast Cane Corso Rescue, told Newsweek the situation is worsening each year.
“We are a nonprofit rescue and adoption partners with shelters across California,” Thompson said. “San Jose Animal Shelter is one we work with often. They have an amazing team of advocates—San Jose Animal Advocates—who are dear friends of ours. They reach out when there is a dog in need.”
This particular puppy is a purebred cane corso, a powerful mastiff-type breed that has surged in popularity in recent years.
“They are exceptionally cute, but also an advanced breed,” Thompson said. “They’re gaining in popularity and everyone is buying them. It’s not unusual for someone to be gifted this breed and become quickly overwhelmed. Everyone wants a cane corso—until it acts like a cane corso.”
Holiday Abandonments Are “Exceptionally High”
According to Thompson, the weeks surrounding Christmas are among the most difficult for rescues.
“Abandonments at this time of year are exceptionally high,” she said. “Adoptions are lower, too—people tend to buy puppies rather than adopt. And then they surrender.”
The reasons for pet abandonments vary. Some families realize they can’t manage a dog’s needs, with others reassess their lives at the end of the year and decide their pets no longer fit.
“I receive about 30 new and unique surrender requests every day,” Thompson said.
While this cane corso puppy has drawn widespread attention online, Hanna said that rescues are overwhelmed with dogs of all ages.
“Puppies are cute and gain a lot of attention, but all of our dogs are worthy of the same attention,” she added. “We rescue a ton of seniors and neglected dogs, too.”
Since the video on Instagram, the puppy has received a lot of applications for adoption, and the rescue workers are reviewing them carefully to find the best home.
“Our adoption process is strict, but fair,” Thompson said. “We require everyone to train their dog.”
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