This pit bull was found tied up to a pole in Philadelphia back in 2014 – and he’s been looking for a permanent place to call home ever since.

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When Mickey, approximately 3 or 4 years old, was first found by the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly), he was missing fur from mange (a skin disease caused by parasites) and had a clubfoot, according to the Street Tails Animal Rescue (STAR) group, which pulled him from the public shelter. When Mickey first came to STAR, he was a frightened, anxious dog – he was also broken and depressed.

Through STAR, Mickey was placed into two different foster homes.

STAR

Since his rough start has left him prone to stress, it’s hard for Mickey to get along with other dogs. Mickey wasn’t a good match with another dog in the first home, and in his second home, his parent was relocating and had to give him back up. Mickey returned to STAR, where he was living in the basement of the rescue, all alone and away from his fellow rescue brothers and sisters.

“His emotional state has been up and down over the past two years depending on if he was in foster care or with us,” Allison Lewis, a volunteer at STAR, told The Dodo.

However, on January 10, Mickey was taken in by a new foster family, where he will remain until he is adopted. “So far he seems to have made himself right at home and they’re quite taken with him,” Lewis said, adding that Mickey has a chance at being adopted permanently into his new family.

Mickey’s come so far from the injured, sad dog who was discovered more than a year ago. His mange is gone and he’s generally a very friendly and happy dog. “He really just wants to play with people and then relax on the couch and cuddle,” Lewis said.

Mickey with his newest foster parent.STAR

Pit bulls fill up shelters all over the country, and they often have difficulty getting adopted. Mickey’s journey reflects one that is faced by pit bulls all over the country – and many of those dogs don’t get to see a happy ending.

If you live in the Philadelphia area, you can find out more about Mickey here. There are also dogs across the country who need help. If you’re ready to give a one a forever home, check out Adopt-a-Pet.com to get started.