Fezco, the North Carolina dog whose owners dumped him for being gay, has found his new home and a new name.
The pup initially made waves earlier in the week when staff at a North Carolina animal shelter shared the story of his surrender. The dog, who veterinarians estimate is about 5 years old, was brought into the facility by his family after they saw him try to mount another male dog.
According to them, the behavior meant he was gay. They didn't want a gay dog, so they left Fezco there at the shelter.
People were horrified with the wildly uninformed and homophobic former owners, and adoption offers came pouring in. Clearly this dog wouldn't have to wait long.
About a day and a half after the story initially broke, staff at Stanly County Animal Protective Services announced Fezco has a forever home.
Even better, the pups new parents spoke to local media and their story has people in their feels.
The couple explained they adopted Fezco because, as a gay couple who has been together for 30 years, they've faced the same ridiculous judgments that got the dog dumped in the first place.
Steve Nichols explained:
“We’ve been subject to that kind of bigotry and ignorance throughout our lives together, and we couldn’t always do anything about it. We looked at each other and said, we can do something about this.”
"It's just such a silly reason to turn in a dog. We thought it would make sense for the gay dog to be adopted by a loving gay family."
The pair have renamed the dog "Oscar" after Oscar Wilde, the beloved Irish poet who was persecuted and imprisoned for being gay.
People are all about this development in the dogs life.
That is wonderful news. Have a Happy New Life Oscar.pic.twitter.com/WPAzNaStiW— Snow2022 (@Snow2022) 1648030834
I\u2019m so happy to hear that this precious dog now has a loving home with a loving couple.https://twitter.com/tmz/status/1506378663968874496\u00a0\u2026— Kyle White\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Kyle White\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1648006059
This loving hound has the home he deserves.\nHope the last owners next dog likes humping homophobe humans.— Iain Morris (@Iain Morris) 1648072209
Abandoned \u2018gay\u2019 dog finds a new home\nYou couldn\u2019t make this up. Homophobia, mistreatment of animals and profound stupidity all in one.https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a178f734-aac6-11ec-8da7-c2b9b8c9eee5?shareToken=544557cf3fdfb5dade9ce6cb76abb363\u00a0\u2026— Rupert Darwall (@Rupert Darwall) 1648066311
Why must some people insist on being ignorant? Lucky dog. Oscar is now receiving the care he needs. \n\n\u201cGay dog\u201d ditched at shelter gets new owners: a gay couple https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/03/gay-dog-ditched-shelter-gets-new-owners-gay-couple/?utm_source=LGBTQ+Nation+Subscribers&utm_campaign=c817e350d2-20220323_LGBTQ_Nation_Daily_Brief&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c4eab596bd-c817e350d2-431902651#.YjtvisBfcbw.twitter\u00a0\u2026— Diane Marie Ford \ud83d\udc9e (@Diane Marie Ford \ud83d\udc9e) 1648062635
Who had gay dog gets ditched & then adopted on their apocalyptic bingo card for 2022?— Rachel Maria \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 I stand with Ukraine \ud83c\udf3b (@Rachel Maria \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 I stand with Ukraine \ud83c\udf3b) 1648042667
What a cutie. perfect adoption outcome!— Liberal Reason (@Liberal Reason) 1647992405
As upsetting and confusing as his abandonment must have been for him, experts believe Oscar is better off now than he was before.
It will take a fair bit of veterinary care to restore the dog to proper health. He was intact (likely the reason for his humping—sexually mature intact male dogs do a LOT of humping) and dealing with heartworms, a condition that can be fatal.
His new owners have checked him into an animal hospital for treatment where he will remain for a few days before he finally gets to settle into his forever home.
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