Los Angeles Dodgers Mascot Comforts Only Shelter Dog Not Adopted At Stadium Event In Heartwarming Video

When you’re banking on a fresh start at a big adoption event, being the only dog left behind stings.

But sometimes the universe sends comfort in the most unexpected forms, like a mascot who’ll take the time to give you all the cuddles. Here’s a heartwarming story with a happy ending (since we don’t get those often).

Heartwarming Mascot Moment

TikTok user @foursleepingdogs captured a touching scene at a Los Angeles Dodgers adoption event. The viral video has more than 89,000 views.

Waldomar, a 4-year-old black lab, sat alone after every other dog at the event found a home. The footage shows a Dodgers mascot—complete with Santa hat for the holiday season—approaching the pup and immediately getting down on his level.

The mascot didn’t just offer a quick pat. He stretched out his hand, scratched behind Waldomar’s ears and all over his body, and eventually lay on the floor to provide proper cuddles.

“POV: you go to an adoption event…and every dog gets picked except one,” @foursleepingdogs wrote in the caption. “So the Dodgers mascot stops to hug you and show you that you’re a good boy.”

@foursleepingdogs explains in the caption that Waldomar’s journey has been rough. He arrived at the Lancaster shelter as an injured stray. He reportedly spent nearly two months there with zero interest from potential adopters. Shelter staff brought him to the Dodgers event, hoping the change of scenery and increased foot traffic would help.

“Everyone at the event loved him but nobody was ready to take him home,” the creator explained.

After the event, Waldomar was transferred to Agoura Animal Care Center, the shelter’s sister location.

@foursleepingdogs let BroBible know via Instagram direct message that he was adopted and appears happy in his new home.

“Home for the holidays,” his new owner said in a video sent to BroBible.

Adoption Stats

According to the ASPCA, approximately 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2024. But only 4.2 million found homes.

The gap between intake and adoption creates an ongoing capacity crisis, with dogs—especially large breeds like Waldomar—staying in shelters longer than ever before. The length of time dogs spend waiting for adoption has increased significantly over the past five years, adding strain to already overburdened facilities.

Most animals entering shelters (about 60% in 2024) come in as strays. They often arrive injured or in need of medical care, which can make them harder to place.

Housing issues remain the top reason people surrender dogs to shelters. They account for 14.1% of all canine surrenders, according to The Zebra.

The numbers paint a tough picture. Approximately 607,000 shelter animals were euthanized in 2024. Though that represents progress, as euthanasia rates have dropped from 13% of shelter populations in 2019 to 8% in 2024.

Still, many animals who do get adopted don’t stay in their new homes long. Research shows 60% of adopted pets are no longer with their adoptive families six months later, with 20% returning to the original shelter.

Shelter transfers, like Waldomar’s move to the Agoura Animal Care Center, offer animals a second chance when one location can’t secure them an adoption.

Commenters React

“Everyone planning to buy a Christmas puppy needs to be forced to watch this video,” a top comment read.

“OMG Someone adopt him,” a person said.

“Umm the person inside the mascot suit needs to be the one adopting him. I mean look and them together. It only makes sense,” another wrote.

“People that say they don’t have the room or they need a yard don’t understand how tiny the shelter rooms are that they spend 20 hours a day in,” a commenter pointed out.

BroBible reached out to @foursleepingdogs for comment via Instagram and TikTok direct message and to the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control via email. We’ll be sure to update this if they respond.