South Florida

Dog That Spent 6 Years at Upper Keys Humane Society Finds Home on #ClearTheShelters Day

A dog that spent a whopping six years at the Upper Keys Humane Society was adopted during Saturday's Clear the Shelters event.

Linda, a 12-year-old poodle mix, was one of 11 pets from the shelter that found a home during the event that saw NBC 6 and Telemundo 51 partner with animal shelters throughout South Florida.

After she was found in a parking lot in Homestead six years ago, Linda was brought to the shelter where she quickly became beloved by the staff, who let her hang out in the office most days.

She had been fostered out shortly after her arrival but was returned after she started to go blind. But Kellie and Joe Pardo, of Key Largo, took her home Saturday.

"She's real sweet," Kellie Pardo said. "A little confused because she's a little blind, but she's adjusting."

Pardo said she'd seen Linda at the shelter about a week earlier while she was making a donation, and said she was looking for a senior dog after losing an older dog recently.

"Linda was a joy to have here, we all miss her," said Nicole Navarro, with the Upper Keys Humane Society. "But it's great that our community is so supportive and they're willing to take on the responsibility of having a senior dog."

Exactly 500 pets were adopted from five South Florida shelters during Saturday's initiative. Nationwide, more than 17,000 animals found homes.

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