HOUSTON — Naco, a dog who spent eight years at a Houston animal shelter, finally entered a permanent home just in time for the 2024 holiday season.
A local family completed his adoption in mid-December, after the shelter finalized health checks and paperwork for his release.
Shelter records show staff first admitted Naco as a young dog after animal control officers picked him up as a stray. He remained in the shelter system for years while staff promoted him at adoption events, on social media, and through rescue partner networks.
Veterinarians confirmed that Naco stayed healthy, passed routine screenings, and met behavioral standards for adoption. Volunteers noted that he shared kennel space with other dogs, interacted with visitors, and participated in daily walks and care activities. Despite multiple seasonal adoption drives, many families chose younger or smaller dogs, leaving Naco without a home.
Staff labeled him a “long-stay” dog and featured him in special signage, online posts, and local media campaigns as a “forgotten friend.”
