A couple from New Jersey falls in love with a new best friend but the adoption gets put on the line when Dr. Kristen discovers a heart murmur; Tia heads out to the swamps to rescue a dog in need of medical attention and the diagnosis shocks her.

Villalobos' oldest resident, Summer, a pit with severe arthritis, has a chance at a forever home; Earl works to improve a dog's social skills, hoping to make him more adoptable; Kanani's girlfriend, M2, takes on her first rescue.

A call in the middle of the night sends Tia racing to deal with a family emergency; a homeless man reaches out for assistance when his dog has trouble breathing; a healthy dog tied up outside VRC leads to a shocking story and a difficult decision.