Stray Dog Living In Trash Can Is Afraid Of Leaving The One Place He Feels Safe

"This cutie was perfectly content to stay inside the trash can which made him feel safe and warm."

Damjan

• Published in Animal Stories
• April 30, 2022

Animals living on the streets have it rough. They can only dream of feeling safe and they are in constant search of food and shelter.

And they sometimes find it in the most unusual places. Just like our hero did. His story is interesting and heartbreaking.

Here is how it starts: Officers from Lexington-Fayette Animal Control in Kentucky received a report about a dog in need of assistance earlier this month.

They discovered the puppy hiding inside a tipped-over trash can. Because he didn't think anyone cared enough to take him in, the trash can had apparently become his home.

“When our officer arrived, this sweet but timid dog would come up to greet her but then dart right back to the trash can,” animal control wrote. “Most stray dogs run back to their home when they are scared, but this cutie was perfectly content to stay inside the trash can which made him feel safe and warm.”

The dog had apparently formed good connections with trash, despite the fact that rescuers recognized he was in reality a treasure (one man's trash is another man's treasure - this is the best proof). Rescuers were eventually able to lure the dog, whom they named Oscar, out of the shelter and into a happier life.

Oscar continued to demonstrate an odd fascination with the trash even when he was in the company of his new caregivers who made sure he had everything he needs. And by everything, we mean everything...

Oscar was found in a trash can

"Even after he was safe with us and being office fostered, Oscar still guarded and climbed into trash cans around the office!" rescuers wrote. "His name came solely from his love of trash because this guy is definitely not a grouch."

Oscar's rescuers planned to surprise him with a meet and greet with local sanitation workers because he enjoyed trash so much.

“Oscar had such a great time!” animal control staff wrote.

In the shelter he showed a fascination with trash, so the staff organized a meet and greet with the local sanitation workers

Oscar now waits to be adopted

Of course, the most important thing for Oscar is to be adopted into a loving family. And he's getting assistance with it as well.

Since then, he's been relocated to the Lexington Humane Society, where volunteers can only conjecture on his past.

"What we can promise him is he will never have to resort to living in a trash can again," the Humane Society wrote. "Whether he was seeking shelter from severe weather or abuse, or if someone really did discard him like he was trash, that part of his story is behind him."

Watch him on video:

Oscar's future has never looked better than it does right now. All he needs now is a family who will adore him for the rest of his life.

"Oscar is an affectionate boy who now LOVES attention and is eager to make new friends," the Lexington Humane Society wrote. "We know someone will soon adopt him and treat him like a true treasure."

We hope he will find the home he deserves soon.

Damjan