Crawfish, a once-unrecognizable dog, has made an incredible transformation after being rescued from a hoarding situation last summer. When he first arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah, his fur was so matted that his face was barely visible.
Crawfish was one of nearly 20 dogs, including poodles, that were removed from an overcrowded home by animal services. According to caregiver Anabel Kirk, all the dogs were in distressing conditions. “They were all in pretty rough shape,” she said in a statement. “Some were more social than others, but they all needed grooming, medical attention, and a lot of patience to help them feel safe again.”
For Crawfish, the grooming process was extensive. It took several hours to carefully remove the mats, which weighed about 10 pounds. After the transformation, Crawfish sported a much shorter coat, which allowed him to move around more freely. However, he was still shy and needed time to adjust to his new surroundings.
“All the dogs had varying levels of shyness,” Kirk explained. “Some ran right up to us, excited for attention, while others, like Crawfish, would sit in the corner and hide. But they’ve all made incredible progress.”
In time, Crawfish overcame his shyness and found a forever home. He was adopted by a family in Tucson, Arizona, and at 3 years old, he is thriving in his new environment, living a life far removed from the conditions he once endured.