Pittie on Euthanasia List Gets Second Chance Thanks to Celebrity

Santi had already endured heartbreak once, but nothing could have prepared her for how close she came to losing everything. The sweet pit bull mix was discovered wandering alone along Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York, looking exhausted and uncertain as she searched for safety. After being brought to Animal Care Centers of NYC in 2024, she was quickly adopted, giving everyone hope that her difficult days were finally over. Sadly, less than a year later, Santi was returned to the shelter because of separation anxiety, leaving her confused, stressed, and once again without a family to call her own.

Credit: Instagram

Suddenly, Santi was back in a kennel, confused and heartbroken as she watched people pass by day after day. The loud shelter environment only added to her stress. Volunteers noticed how desperately she wanted affection and stability, often leaning into them for comfort during walks and quiet moments outside her cage.

As the weeks stretched into months, Santi became a favorite among staff and volunteers. They described her as loving, gentle, and deeply affectionate despite everything she had endured. Still, finding the right home proved difficult.

She remained at the shelter for more than 150 days.

Eventually, Santi was placed on the euthanasia list because of ongoing medical concerns. The people who had grown attached to her refused to give up. They shared her story online, contacted rescues, and pleaded for someone to step forward before it was too late.

With only 48 hours left, one devastated volunteer posted an emotional final plea, hoping the right person might see it in time.

That person turned out to be actor Justin Theroux.

Known for his love of rescue animals and advocacy for pit bulls, Theroux immediately shared Santi’s story with his massive audience. He has long used his platform to help misunderstood dogs find homes, often posting about his own rescue pit bull, Kuma, and encouraging others to see these dogs beyond harmful stereotypes.

His repost quickly gained attention, and soon someone offered to foster Santi.

Just like that, her fate changed.

A New Beginning For Santi

Credit: Instagram

Santi was rescued by NYC Pawsome Squad and moved into a foster home where she could finally breathe, rest, and experience peace again. After months inside the shelter, even the smallest comforts seemed to light her up.

Photos shared after her rescue showed a visibly relaxed dog soaking up soft blankets, fresh air, and human affection. Her tail wagged more freely. Her eyes looked softer. The stress she carried inside the shelter slowly began to fade.

“She was so happy just to be in a home,” rescuers shared.

The rescue team immediately began working to understand her medical condition. Veterinarians suspected Santi may have degenerative myelopathy, a progressive disease often compared to ALS in humans. The diagnosis remains uncertain, but it could mean long-term mobility challenges ahead.

Even so, Santi continues to greet each day with quiet resilience.

“The idea of her story ending in a shelter didn’t feel right, so people stepped in to rewrite it,” Chelsea Domaleski, communications manager at Animal Farm Foundation, told The Dodo.

Her foster family has already committed to caring for her long-term if needed, offering her a “fospice” home filled with patience, compassion, and stability. But the people who love Santi still believe she could someday find a forever family of her own.

According to Domaleski, Santi would thrive in a calm home where she can move at her own pace and simply enjoy feeling safe.

Credit: Instagram

“A relaxed environment with a secure backyard would be ideal for her,” she explained. “Somewhere she can safely enjoy fresh air, gentle exploration, and quiet comfort at her own pace.”

After everything she has survived, Santi is finally surrounded by people determined to make sure she never feels abandoned again. Her journey has been painful and uncertain, but thanks to a chain of compassionate strangers, her story now carries something far stronger than fear.

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