Husky Who Was Overlooked for Months Finally Finds His Forever Home

When Balto arrived at the Austin Animal Center, he was in rough shape. A serious injury to his left eye caused him intense pain, and he needed immediate, specialized care.

Thankfully, Austin Pets Alive! stepped in to help — and after some critical treatment, they were able to save his eye and start him on the path to healing.

But while his body recovered, Balto’s spirit still needed mending.

After everything he’d been through, the young husky developed separation anxiety, which made life in the shelter especially hard.

Despite his affectionate nature and boundless energy, he spent eight long months being overlooked — simply because of his breed and behavior challenges.

“He was lovable, energetic, and incredibly stressed,” said Luis Sanchez, director of public relations at Austin Pets Alive!.

“After a short foster stay didn’t work out, he came back to the shelter and was trying to chew out of his kennel. I called my wife and said, ‘I’m probably coming home with a dog today.’”

And he did.

Luis and his wife decided to foster Balto, hoping to ease his anxiety and give him the stability he needed.

They brought him everywhere — to breweries, adoption events, and all over social media — sharing his story with anyone who would listen.

Finally, someone did.

A family from New Braunfels reached out, looking for a husky who was good with kids. Luis made the trip to their home — and what happened next made everything worth it.

“Their little daughter grabbed Balto’s leash and started giving him a tour of the house,” Luis said. “She walked him around, saying, ‘This is my room, this is my parents’ room.’ It was the cutest thing.”

Balto immediately relaxed. It was like he knew he was home.

Now officially adopted, Balto is thriving — especially with his new best friend, his tiny human sister. After months of waiting and uncertainty, he finally found the family who saw past his struggles and gave him the love he always deserved.