Depressed Dog Saved from Kill Shelter Transforms After Becoming a Dad to Foster Kittens

Claudia Papp is sharing how her pooch Chapo went from a depressed dog to a delighted dad thanks to a group of curious foster kittens.

On Oct. 4, Papp posted on her TikTok about the origin story of her beloved dog Chapo, a clip that has racked up over 12.3 million views.

"A little over four years ago, I picked up the saddest dog on his last day at the kill shelter," the clip starts with footage of Chapo sitting alone, looking dejected.

Papp told SWNS she learned about the pit bull mix through a Facebook post from the Harris County Animal Shelter in Houston. Before ending up on the euthanasia list at the shelter, Chapo spent four years chained in a yard, neglected, and this time outdoors left Chapo with a skin infection, intestinal worms, and a fractured set of teeth from chewing on his chain.

Eager to bring some good into his life and save him from euthanization, Papp agreed to foster Chapo and bring him home. Unfortunately, even in the safety of a foster home, Chapo struggled to open up and feel comfortable during his recovery.

"When I brought him home, he just stood at the back door, trembling. He was exhausted but didn't want to fall asleep because he didn't feel safe yet," Papp told SWNS about her early days with Chapo.

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After four months of slow progress, Chapo's emotional condition changed when Papp brought in foster kittens.

"Chapo needed that playful energy, and he found it when I started fostering kittens four months into his recovery," Papp said, adding, "They brought out a side of him I hadn't seen before."

Chapo became more playful and curious with the kittens around and helped the kittens become more socialized, too.

After the first two kittens under Chapo's care got adopted, Papp found her foster dog felt "okay to trust again."

"Chapo learned to play and be silly through their antics," she added. "They really helped him come out of his shell."

Papp, who has fostered over 120 animals, fell in love with Chapo, her 48th foster dog, as he acclimated to a loving life, so she adopted the canine.

Today, Chapo is a loyal companion to Papp and continues to help her with his favorite activity, caring for foster kittens. Papp finds that Chapo gains more confidence through each foster kitten he helps prepare for adoption.

"He's perfect now. Maybe a little overweight but healthy and happy," Papp said.