Susan Gail Taylor

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Creative that caught fire

Every underdog deserves a chance to fly

From forgotten kennels to viral TikToks, I craft stories that give shelter dogs their long-overdue spotlight. They’re proof that when you give voice to those who need it most and pair it with strategy, you can compel the world to listen.

Click the images to watch

Hashbrown: A rescue collaboration with The Dodo

For over 700 days, volunteers across central Arkansas fought to free Hashbrown from an anti-pittie city shelter. But despite their efforts, no one offered him a home.

That’s when I stepped in to tell his story.

I pitched his story to The Dodo, and within two weeks of their final edit of my content going live, a rescue org drove down from the northeast to save him.

Hashbrown was officially adopted a few days later. His video racked up almost 1 million views across multiple platforms.

Strategic storytelling saved his life.

More shelter stories that took off

Scroll to discover more stories of shelter dogs who’ve been othered because of their breed, their age, or their past.

These are the dogs who were never meant to be the heroes of the story, but some of them found their way there anyway. Others never got the chance. I tell their stories so their faces are remembered and their voices heard.

@beforeilearnedcivility

Please don’t look away from this terrified beauty. She’s stuck in a kennel when she should be in a home with a family who loves her. Help me save the saddest hound at @Little Rock Animal Village! 🙏🫶🙏🫶 #littlerockarkansas #centralarkansas #sheltervolunteer #adoptdontshop #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #littlerockanimalvillage #dogsoflittlerock #fosteringsaveslives #shelterdog #rescuedog #houndsoftiktok

♬ original sound – Claire Boyer

TikTok meets my shelter buddy Bumblebee Tuna

Almost 300,000 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

I love you always, Bumblebee Tuna! 💖🙏🫶🥹🐾 It was a blessing to get to know you during your stay at @Little Rock Animal Village. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO FOLLOWED HER STORY! And of course thank you @Lizzy O’Connell from @Newsweek for sharing her story. She is now safe and happy with her lovely furever family! Please adopt a new bestie in her honor! 🙏🙏🙏 #littlerockarkansas #centralarkansas #sheltervolunteer #adoptdontshop #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #littlerockanimalvillage #dogsoflittlerock #shelterdog #dogsofttiktok #rescuestory

♬ kolpan – Cmdr. Alina Boin

TikTok rescues Bumblebee Tuna

Almost 11,000 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

Replying to @Lizzy O’Connell 7/3 UPDATE ON BUMBLEBEE TUNA! 🙏💖🥹🫶🐾 I am so grateful to everyone for the love and attention she’s received. We need an adopter who can help look for transport options or someone who can adopt locally. I will do all I can to help either way, but @Little Rock Animal Village will want her moved to free up space ASAP. She’s very shy and will need time to adapt. I pray the person who adopts her will give that to her and promise to protect her tender heart ALWAYS. Let’s save Bumblebee Tuna! #littlerockarkansas #centralarkansas #sheltervolunteer #adoptdontshop #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #littlerockanimalvillage #dogsoflittlerock #shelterdog #rescuedog #adoptme #summerwishlist

♬ original sound – Susan | 🐶 Shelter Volunteer

Newsweek meets Bumblebee Tuna

Almost 15,000 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

Oh, Pietro. I see you, sweet boy. 🙏🫶🐾 You were trembling when we met, but still looked at me as if you wanted to trust. I understand you’re just not at that point yet. Hold on tight, buddy. I’m gonna do my best to rally folks in your name! @Little Rock Animal Village #sheltervolunteer #centralarkansas #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #adoptdontshop #littlerockanimalvillage #dogsoflittlerock #shelterdogs #littlerock #littlerockarkansas #fosteringsaveslives #rescuepitties #nomoreBSL #pittiesoftiktok

♬ Very Sad – Enchan

TikTok meets Pietro, the boy I couldn’t save in time

Almost 17,000 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

Bring back accountability. Dogs are a vulnerable population. If you have them, TAKE CARE OF THEM. If you need help, LOOK FOR LOW-COST CARE OPTIONS. Sure, we all face life-changing situations. But when we don’t find a way for our dogs to make it out of those situations with us, there’s a good chance they also may not make it out of the shelter. 😭😭😭😭 #adoptdontshop #sheltervolunteer #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #dogsofttiktok #fosteringsaveslives #shelterdog #rescuedog

♬ original sound – Susan | 🐶 Shelter Volunteer

TikTok meets Luna, the girl I couldn’t save in time

Almost 11,000 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

Meet Valerie. 😭 She came in as a stray from #southwestlittlerock to @Little Rock Animal Village and now needs a way out. I want to show her that she is deserving of so much more than a dirty kennel floor. Can we rally for this tenderhearted pittie? 🙏🙏🙏 #littlerock #centralarkansas #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #adoptdontshop #rescuepitties #sheltervolunteer #dogsoflittlerock #littlerockanimalvillage #littlerockarkansas #fosteringsaveslives #shelterdogs #pittiesoftiktok #nomoreBSL

♬ original sound – Ally Rendall

TikTok meets Valerie, the dog the shelter wouldn’t allow me to save

Almost 5,500 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

🎉🫶 MY BOY DINGO IS SAFE, YA’LL! 🥹🫶 We all need a #successstory and today Dingo, his fosters and @Little Rock Animal Village got one! Never let anyone tell you that there are too many animals in need to care about just one. This very good boy is alive and safe because people cared enough to act on behalf of just one. 💖🫶🐾 #sheltervolunteer #centralarkansas #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #adoptdontshop #littlerockanimalvillage #dogsoflittlerock #fosteringsaveslives #shelterdogs #rescuepitties #nomoreBSL #pittiesoftiktok

♬ Clair de lune/Debussy – もつ

TikTok meets Diego, the dog I saved with only minutes to spare

Almost 10,000 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

I beg you to read, watch, listen and take action. 🙏🙏🙏 We always see posts asking for somebody to help. YOU can be that somebody. Come help us at @Little Rock Animal Village. If you’re not from #littlerock or centralarkansas, help your local shelter and/or rescue orgs. You are needed. 🙏🐾🙏 #sheltervolunteer #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #littlerockarkansas #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsoflittlerock #shelterdogs #littlerockanimalvillage #rescuepitties #pittiesoftiktok #nomoreBSL #cleartheshelters #rescuedogs #littlerockvolunteer #spayandneuter

♬ original sound – Susan | 🐶 Shelter Volunteer

TikTok is faced with heartbreaking conditions of a local shelter

Almost 6,500 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

Gertie had a fun time today before getting her first #heartworm injection. She’ll rest this weekend and head back to #arkansaspawsinprison on Monday (8/19). Her heartworm treatment is completely sponsored. Apply with @Last Chance Arkansas to bring this sweet girl home and make her your bestie! 💖🙏🥹🐾🫶🐶 @7brewcoffee, she’ll come be your mascot any time! #pawsinprison #sheltervolunteer #centralarkansas #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #littlerockarkansas #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #dogsoflittlerock #shelterdogs #rescuedogs #lastchancearkansas

♬ Clair de lune/Debussy – もつ

TikTok breaks Gertie out of Paws in Prison with me

Almost 6,800 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

Coraline is one of many #pitties at @Little Rock Animal Village. They’re all special and they all deserve a chance at unconditional love. Can you give this girl her shot? 💖🙏🥹🐾 #adoptdontshop #dogsoflittlerock #littlerockanimalvillage #littlerockarkansas #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #sheltervolunteer #fosteringsaveslives #shelterdog #rescuedog #rescuepittie #centralarkansas #pittiesoftiktok

♬ original sound – Susan | 🐶 Shelter Volunteer

TikTok meets surrendered Coraline

Almost 7,500 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

🍭 Sweets 🍰 the pittie is ready for her fureverhome. She’s in centralarkansas, but transport is available. DM me for more details! 🙏🙏🙏 #pittiesoftiktok #littlerock #novastarrescue #rescuedog #rescuepittie #adoptdontshop #fosteringsaveslives #pittielove #rescueanimals #animalrescuer #adoptmepets

♬ sonido original – SONIDOS LARGOS

TikTok takes Sweets on a doggie day out

Almost 10,000 views

@beforeilearnedcivility

When I tell ya’ll I’ve fucking had it with the things I see and hear and know and smell and cry about in animal rescue, I mean that I wake up crying in a sweat. I mean that I wish I tear all the info from my head and never know it again. I mean the smells haunt me in my dreams. But then I remember that the dogs have stories that need to be told and I’m here to tell them. Shelters are no place long-term for any dog. Don’t like the animal overpopulation crisis we’re in right now? Me either. Now what you gonna do to combat it? Volunteer. Foster. Donate. Adopt. Share posts. We can all do something. We all HAVE to do something. DM me if you can save one of these puppies from @BentonAnimalControl or go the shelter and visit them. They’re open every day of the week. 🫶🐶🙏 #adoptdontshop #pettok #sheltervolunteer #rescuedogsoftiktok #adoptafuckingdog #bentonarkansas #tinydogsoftiktok #fosteringsaveslives #rescuedogsoftiktok #rescuepuppies #puppytiktok

♬ I Love You, I’m Sorry – Gracie Abrams

TikTok meets 3 puppies born in a shelter and living in filth

Almost 9,400 views