Emaciated dog rescued from California parking lot finds forever home in a 'foster fail'

What began as an emergency rescue for a starving dog in the Pasadena area ended with his finding a loving forever home with the person who took him in — a textbook "foster fail."

The dog, Jordan, also called Jojo, was doing well after fast-food workers realized he needed help.

Here's what to know

After Jojo was seen wandering through a restaurant parking lot, employees fed him a hamburger patty and reached out for help, NBC Los Angeles reported. Pasadena Humane then took him in and started treating his health issues.

According to foster caregiver Jeni Incontro, Jordan was in terrible condition.

"He was 48 pounds, extremely emaciated, flea-infested, and really sick," Incontro told NBC Los Angeles.

Even so, Incontro said Jojo was well behaved.

"I don't know for sure, but my hunch is that he, at some point, had a family because he was trained," she said, per the outlet. "He was housebroken, and he loved people."

More background

This adorable pup's recovery was made possible through several steps. Restaurant workers recognized he was in trouble and took action, Pasadena Humane gave him medical attention, and a foster caregiver provided a safe place where he could regain strength.

Fostering can be especially important for animals healing from illness, stress, or malnourishment. A home environment can give dogs more comfort than a shelter setting while also freeing up space for other animals in need. In Jojo's case, that temporary arrangement turned into a happy ending with a permanent home. 

Before leaving on a work trip, Incontro brought Jojo back to the shelter. When she returned and found that he was still waiting to be adopted, she couldn't bear the thought of his going to another foster family.

What can be done?

One of the simplest ways to help is through awareness. The people who first saw Jordan did not ignore a dog in distress. By giving him food and contacting a local humane organization, they helped get him care.

Another option is fostering. Not everyone can adopt a pet, but temporary care can still make a difference for animals and shelters. Foster homes can give animals time to regain weight, decompress, and show their personalities in calm environments.

Adoption also creates space for shelters and rescue groups to help other animals facing medical or behavioral challenges.

"I saw Jordan's name on the board to go get fostered by someone else, and I just kept thinking: 'No, no, no. This is my dog.' And then I came back and adopted him," Incontro said.

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