Tiki the Foster Dog: How Fostering Changed One Dog’s Life (And Why He’s Not Alone)
Tiki’s viral fame is more than just a feel-good story; it's a case study in the transformative power of foster care, digital storytelling, and community-driven animal advocacy.
Tiki's Background and Rescue Journey
Tiki the foster dog quickly gained attention on TikTok when his foster mom, Isabel Klee, began sharing his journey. He came from an unknown background, where he was likely treated unkindly (the exact details remain a bit of a mystery). He was transferred from the ASPCA with a group of other dogs, all of whom were terrified from their previous experiences.
Isabel took Tiki in after Muddy Paws Rescue in New York City identified him as one of the most shut-down dogs in their care. With her foster experience (of over 20 dogs) and immense patience, Klee decided to give Tiki the chance he truly deserved.
Isabel explained that Tiki was not only scared, but he had given up and was essentially resigned from life. His withdrawn nature caused the shelter to discuss the possibility of behavioral euthanasia, but Isabel decided to give him a chance at a better life.
Tiki on TikTok
Isabel began documenting Tiki's progress from the moment she brought him home. Within just a couple of weeks, he showed remarkable improvement. Klee celebrated his bravery with a post highlighting all of the small but meaningful steps he had taken.
His foster mom said, "We still have a long way to go, but for the first time in his entire life, Tiki's future is full of hope. He has finally found his will to live."
This powerful statement touched many who saw the video, inspiring them to follow Tiki's journey of recovery.
@simonsits Day 12 with Tiki: a little celebration for how far our boy has come! ❤️ @Muddy Paws Rescue @ASPCA ♬ sonido original - 𝟕𝟕𝟕 𝕰𝖑𝖎🥷🏽🖤
The updates from Tiki's foster mom stopped at Day 44, but don't worry, his journey didn't end there. In fact, this was just the beginning of his journey; Tiki was adopted! After receiving hundreds of applications to adopt him, his new parents were chosen for him.
@simonsits Day 44 with Tiki: It’s time for our boy’s next chapter. I will have a Tiki shaped hole in my heart forever. Thank you for being here with us. GO FOLLOW TIKI’S NEW PAGE - @tikiplustwo! Now let’s go save the next dog ❤️ @Muddy Paws Rescue @ASPCA ♬ original sound - xavier
His new pet parents created a TikTok account, @tikiplustwo, where they've just begun sharing their journey with their new pup.
Raising Money and Awareness
Klee shared that Tiki has helped raise over $200,000 for animal welfare through donations and his merch line. His "Be Brave Like Tiki" merchandise has been incredibly well-received by the public.
Tiki-themed t-shirts, tote bags, and other goodies sold far beyond what Muddy Paws Rescue had anticipated. The rescue wrote on their Instagram:
For perspective - we sold more Tiki shirts in the first 30 minutes of it launching than we’ve sold total pieces of merchandise from our store since we started it in 2022
Attention like this is fantastic for animal rescues like Muddy Paws, both financially speaking and in terms of raising awareness for fostering. Tiki's documented foster journey reached millions, showing the incredible impact fostering can have on a dog's life.
The Other "Tikis"
Along with the attention Tiki received, Muddy Paws Rescue also found itself in the spotlight. They used this attention not just for Tiki, but to promote all of their incredible adoptable dogs.
In a clever move, the rescue began including "Tiki" in the names of other dogs, using puns and jokes to tie them to the viral attention they were already receiving. This creative strategy boosts views to the profiles of all of their other adoptable and fosterable dogs.
Every rescue dog is a "Tiki" waiting for their life-changing foster or adopter to come help them.
On Fostering
Each year, 5.8 million dogs and cats enter shelters and rescues in the US alone. Many of them are just like Tiki, feeling hopeless and shut down, but fostering can change everything for them. With patience, compassion, and a quiet place to land, these animals can transform in extraordinary ways.
As Tiki's story shows, in all its heart-melting glory, fostering can quite literally save a life and offer a traumatized animal a vital bridge from fear to trust. Although fostering can be emotionally difficult, it is, by and large, so rewarding.
@simonsits Fostering is nothing short of magic. I'm teaming up with @Adopt a Pet, @Pedigree and a coalition of Animal Welfare leaders to help educate and inspire people to start fostering. Find a foster program at a shelter or rescue near you at the link in my bio! #adoptapetpartner #foster50Challenge ♬ original sound - Isabel Klee
"If just 2% of pet parents fostered a dog each year, we would eradicate euthanasia in the shelter and rescue system" - Isabel Klee
The response to Tiki’s story has been powerful and inspiring in abounds. Comments under this video and many others are filled with people sharing that they’ve begun fostering because of his story. If adopting is not in the cards for you right now, just opening your home temporarily can give a dog hope and healing.
And if fostering isn’t possible for you right now, there are still so many ways to help! Shelters always need volunteers to walk, clean, and care for animals. Every bit of support matters and can make an impact.
If you’d like to make a positive impact on animals in your community, reach out to your local shelter or rescue to ask about foster or volunteer opportunities.
Have a foster story of your own that you'd like to share? Leave a comment below or reach out to us for a feature!
