Copyright Newsweek
A one-year-old dog named Aurora Mist is struggling to adjust to life back in a New York City shelter just months after being adopted. Aurora Mist, affectionately described as a “tiger-striped beauty” by the animal advocacy group Boroughbred in Brooklyn, was first brought to the Queens Animal Care Center (ACC) on July 1 under unclear circumstances. She found a home less than two weeks later, on July 12, but was returned to the shelter on October 15 when her adopter was evicted. “She is currently at the Queens ACC. Unfortunately, she’s not available for direct adoption. She needs to be fostered or adopted via a partner rescue,” a spokesperson for Boroughbred in Brooklyn told Newsweek. The organization explained that the shelter avoids labeling dogs by breed to help reduce breed bias, which can negatively affect adoption rates, especially for pit bull-type mixes. Instead, all dogs are affectionately called “Boroughbreds”—a nod to New York City’s five boroughs. A Rough Start and a Gentle Spirit Despite the instability she’s faced, Aurora Mist has shown she can thrive in a loving home. Her previous family reported that she lived well with a nine-year-old child and a medium-sized dog. She was also “tolerant of their cat,” though she barked at it occasionally. She was also described as social, affectionate and fond of car rides. However, life in the shelter has taken a toll. Boroughbred in Brooklyn said Aurora Mist is not doing well back in a kennel environment, noting that she tends to jump and bite her leash—behavior consistent with what’s observed at the shelter. “She’s been through quite a lot in her short life,” the organization wrote on Facebook. “That’s a lot of change for any dog, let alone one at the gentle age of only one. She needs the support of a good rescue and foster home that will use positive reinforcement trainers to help her decompress fully and understand her needs.” Aurora Mist’s trouble finding stability mirrors a national trend for larger dogs. According to Shelter Animals Count, large breeds make up 29 percent of all shelter intakes but only 26 percent of adoptions, leaving many stuck in kennels while smaller dogs find homes more quickly. Despite a slight dip in overall intake numbers in 2025, adoption rates have also stagnated, especially for adult and senior animals. Aurora Mist’s shelter ID is #230952, and she remains at Queens ACC while waiting for a second chance.
