BATAVIA, OHIO (March 25, 2026) - If dogs could talk, Antoni would surely say that loyalty matters for canines and caregivers alike.

"We don't give up!" said Darlene Williams, Kennel Supervisor at the Clermont County Animal Shelter in Batavia. "We don't euthanize dogs for space. That's the thing here."

After 572 days, the longest-stay resident at the county's kennel has found a new home at a specialized rescue in Kentucky. It's a happy next step for Antoni, a beloved 64-pound mixed breed male pup.

Staff honored Antoni with an emotional "walk out" at the shelter Wednesday morning to say goodbye and to unite him with the owner of CRC Paws-Cause Randy Tipton.

Leash in hand, Williams lead Antoni through a group of more than 20 shelter staff and volunteers with cheers and tears flowing. The crowd had gathered in the parking lot holding handmade signs that read "Antoni: The Bestest Boy" and "We love you, Antoni!"

Tipton, clad in a pink T-shirt with Antoni's photo on it, grinned as he embraced his newest canine ward and offered reassuring words.

"Hey there, buddy! You're going to live the good life and you don't even know it yet!" Tipton said, as Antoni licked his face and rubbed his nose into his neck.

Antoni entered the shelter as a stray on Aug. 30, 2024. He had behavioral issues and initially was only able to be handled by trained staff who helped him improve over time. But the combination of his personality quirks, big size and dark coat made him difficult to home. No foster families would take him in and a brief adoption fell through because Antoni didn't mix well with another household pet.

"Randy fell in love with Antoni and his story," said Williams, who is well connected with rescues and shelters in multiple states. She had been trying to find the right home for Antoni since she and her coworkers began training him in earnest last summer.

Tipton's Louisville-based rescue specializes in dogs and humans who need a second chance. Paws-Cause prepares dogs for adoption with customized training to overcome temperamental behavior. The rescue also provides temporary foster care for pets whose owners are in recovery. The facility itself is well equipped with extra spacious kennel accommodations in a retrofitted humane society building on five acres with dedicated walking trails and activity zones. There’s even a pool and exercise room for the dogs.

Administrator Kiarah Swartz said staff and volunteers at the Clermont shelter recognized Antoni's potential early on and showered him with as much attention as possible.

"Despite being at the shelter for so long, Antoni never succumbed to the level of 'shelter shock' we often see in long-term residents. He showed a sense of determination and resilience that truly stood out," Swartz said.

It is challenging for dogs to live long term in shelters for multiple reasons, Swartz added, explaining that the average stay for dogs in the Clermont shelter is 45 days. "We consider anything over six months to be long term."

The shelter's only other long-term residents are Shaggy and Hilda, each at the shelter less than a year.

Shelter life is hard on dogs, notwithstanding the love and care staff and volunteers provide, Swartz said. The environment is inherently stressful.

"It is exhausting for dogs because shelters are loud and full of stressors that can significantly impact their mental and emotional well-being," she said. "Dogs in any shelter are exposed to constant noise, unfamiliar smells and have limited opportunities to decompress, which can snowball into chronic stress and anxiety. Over time, many dogs begin to exhibit behaviors they might never show in a home setting, not because it reflects their true temperament, but because they are unable to properly regulate their emotions in a kennel environment."

That's why rescues are a crucial part of care network for abandoned dogs.

"Rescues are a good option for dogs like Antoni because they have more flexibility to dedicate additional time and resources to individual cases," Swartz said. "There are very few rescues that have the ability or the capacity to take on challenging behavior cases, which is why Paws-Cause is so important to us and Antoni. Even though we are sad to say goodbye to our friend, we are so happy for Antoni."