Dumpster Puppy Goes from Trash to Treasure

An abandoned puppy found by a dumpster has gone from being thought of as a piece of trash to being a treasured family member.

Joey was only 11 weeks old when a worker spotted him all alone in the rain by a dumpster in Colorado Springs and brought him to Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region.

“When a caring community member discovered Joey, he was soaking wet and shivering alone by a dumpster at a job site. But despite his rough start, Joey showed nothing but warmth, love, and courage when he came into our shelter,” Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region wrote on Facebook.

“From the moment he arrived, Joey’s spirit captured everyone’s hearts. Our staff’s notes are full of praise for his sweetness, friendly nature, and his unbreakable joy for life. Each tail wag, every soft nuzzle, showed us Joey’s incredible resilience and willingness to trust and love, even after all he had been through,” they continued.

The staff were hopeful that such a sweet puppy would find the perfect home. What they didn’t know was that Joey would find that home very close by.

Jay, who works at the shelter, regularly gives new hires tours of the rescue facility. He recently took them on a tour of their stray intake where they all met Joey. He had heard Joey’s story but had not met the pup until then. But when he did he was instantly smitten! Jay and his wife Julie had lost their dog a year earlier and had not been ready to adopt a new pet. But that all changed when Jay met Joey.

Jay “was so taken with Joey’s gentle heart that he placed a choice hold on him immediately, eager to give Joey the loving home he deserved,” the shelter shared.

That was a month ago and Joey has fully settled in to life with his family. Jay and his wife told News 11, “We won the lottery” and added that Joey has to be one of the friendliest pups they’ve ever known. As for Joey, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region shared, “After being cleared by our medical team, Joey finally got to go home to a life filled with soft blankets, cozy sweaters, and lots of snuggles.”

The rescue group wrote, “At HSPPR, we believe even the most heartbreaking stories can lead to a brighter future. Joey’s story may have started in sadness, but it became a journey of unwavering hope, incredible kindness, and a second chance at happiness. Thank you to everyone who supports our mission and ensures that animals like Joey not only survive—but find a loving home.”