Acid Attack Survivor Dog Omid Still Searching for a Forever Home in the U.S.
Just 14 months old, Omid has already lived through unimaginable cruelty. The young shepherd mix was found wandering the streets of Iran after having acid thrown across her face, leaving her disfigured, in pain, and utterly alone.
With no animal cruelty laws in Iran to protect her, Omid’s chances of survival seemed slim—until an Iranian rescuer took her in. For months, San Diego resident Moloud Rabieyousefi financially supported Omid’s care from afar, determined to bring her to safety in the United States.
Her name, Omid, means hope in Farsi. And against all odds, hope is exactly what kept her story alive.
In March, Omid finally arrived at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in California. There, veterinary specialists immediately began assessing her injuries. Acid burns had severely damaged her right eye, leaving her without an eyelid. Without urgent surgery, she risked permanent damage.
In April, veterinary eye specialist Dr. Todd Strubbe performed a delicate reconstructive procedure to give Omid a new eyelid. The surgery was a success—allowing her not only to blink again but to live without constant pain.
Despite her traumatic past, Omid has surprised everyone with her resilient spirit. “Omid has a smile for everyone she meets,” said Kendall Schulz, Helen Woodward’s Director of Adoption Services. “She has known such cruelty, but she is the epitome of forgiveness, kindness, and strength. She deserves every bit of love and good fortune that comes her way.”
Omid is now healthy and ready for adoption, but she still hasn’t found the forever family she needs. Her ideal home would be calm, with no children under 14 and no crowded roommate situations. She could happily live with another dog, provided they get along during introductions. Most of all, she needs guardians with patience, compassion, and prior dog experience to help her continue healing emotionally.
“Omid has been through so much, but she knows her real life is just about to begin,” Schulz added. “She greets every new person with a wag, a nuzzle, and even kisses. It’s as if she knows love is out there waiting for her.”
For Rabieyousefi, who fought tirelessly to save her from the streets of Iran, Omid’s journey has always been about hope. “The rescuer in Iran had hope for her. I had hope for her. And I believe she deserves a loving family to complete her story,” she said.
Omid may have lost her home and her health once, but today she has gained something even more powerful: the chance at a new beginning.