Tiki Finds Home Through the Rescue Effect

When the ASPCA pulled several dogs from an apartment in New York City, Tiki was among them. Tiki was believed to be around five years old and arrived deeply fearful. He would lay in his crate without moving, avoided eye contact, and sometimes soiled himself out of fear.

Recognizing that Tiki’s needs would go beyond physical medical treatment, the ASPCA focused on providing an environment to support his emotional recovery. The ASPCA partnered with Muddy Paws Rescue to move Tiki out of the stressful shelter environment. Enter Isabel Klee, who would work to guide Tiki from a broken soul into an internet sensation.

Fear immobilized Tiki when Isabel began working with him. He refused to step out of his crate and was averse to being touched, but gradually, Tiki began to trust her. It wasn't long before Tiki was sitting on Isabel's lap. Isabel shared Tiki's progress on her Instagram account, where her regular updates drew millions of viewers. After about a month, Tiki was ready for adoption.

Tiki, once scared to look at anyone, sits calmly and at ease. Photo: Muddy Paws Rescue via Instagram

In his new home with Aubrie and Vince, Tiki initially spent his first few days tucked under a bed, maintaining his distance. Now he spends his time with his dog siblings, Meyer and Gaia, exploring around the house and out to the backyard. Aubrie and Vince often share moments from life with Tiki on Instagram, encouraging others to open their homes to animals in need.

Every rescue begins with a choice. One person adopts and gives a pet a home. Another decides to foster and provides an anxious dog the stability and compassion to heal. These choices are what the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign celebrates, because together they create lasting change for animals everywhere.

Tiki’s story is one of many waiting to be written. By taking the “Give More Animals Like Tiki a Chance” pledge through the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect campaign, you can help make those stories possible. Volunteer, foster, or adopt to give more animals the chance to heal and begin again.