Troy Allen Kightlinger and his pet dog Blackie were living under the railroad viaduct, but as of Friday, Kightlinger, reported that Blackie has found a new home and is housed. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

“Blackie got a new home,” exclaimed an excited Troy Allen Kightlinger Kightlinger.

As previously reported in a Post-Journal story dated July 31, Kightlinger, and his pet dog and best-friend, Blackie, were living under the railroad viaduct as part of the estimated 200 to 300 individuals who are unhoused in the area. Kightlinger was actively seeking a place to house Blackie in.

“Blackie didn’t ask for any of this. I’m not going to abandon him – he never abandoned me,” said Kightlinger.

Blackie is a 1-year-old, black labrador retriever, mixed with what appears to be a spaniel breed of some type, who is friendly and has an easy going disposition.

However, last week Kightlinger and Blackie got some very good, unexpected news.

“Blackie got a new home,” exclaimed an excited Kightlinger. “He’s living on a farm, with another dog not too far from here, and I can see him when I want.”

The plight of the homeless, unhoused, along with their four-legged friends living in makeshift shanties isn’t anything new to the area. As a matter of fact, the homeless crisis has been reported numerous times by The Post-Jounrnal during the last two years.

While Blackie has been adopted into his forever home, more stray dogs, with their unhoused owners are still appearing along the Riverwalk and other encampments across the city.

“This is my buddy, Thor,” said Mike Slatowski who currently resides, along the Riverwalk, formerly of Salamanca, N.Y. and is currently unhoused with his German Shephard pet. “You know life sucks, but Thor has been my one constant.”

According to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

— There are 6.3 million pet animals that enter shelters nationwide every year, approximately 3.1 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats.

— Each year, approximately 920,000 animals are euthanized (390,000 dogs and 530,000 cats).

— Of the dogs entering shelters, approximately 65% are adopted and 13% are euthanized

— Of the cats entering shelters, approximately 66% are adopted and 17% are euthanized

For more information visit secure.aspca.org.