5 Surprising Facts About Billie Eilish's Rescue Pit Bull, Shark O'Connell, That Made Him A Billboard Star

As of December 2025, Billie Eilish's rescue dog, Shark O'Connell, remains one of the most famous and beloved pets in the music world. More than just a companion, this handsome Pit Bull has become a symbol of Pit Bull advocacy, a permanent fixture in the O'Connell family, and even a recording artist with a feature on a Billboard Hot 100 song. His journey from a foster puppy to a global celebrity dog is a heartwarming story that began during the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to adopt Shark, a male American Pit Bull Terrier, was a quintessential "foster fail"—a term of endearment for when a temporary foster placement becomes a permanent home. Billie Eilish and her family, including her brother Finneas O'Connell, have consistently used their platform to champion the Pit Bull breed, challenging negative stereotypes and promoting animal rescue, making Shark a powerful entity in his own right.

The Shark O'Connell Biography & Profile

Shark is not just a dog; he is an official member of the O'Connell family, often referred to with the full name "Shark O'Connell." His life story is a testament to the power of animal rescue and the love of a devoted owner.

• Full Name: Shark O’Connell
• Owner: Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O'Connell
• Breed: American Pit Bull Terrier (often simply referred to as a Pit Bull or "Pitty")
• Gender: Male
• Adoption Date: April 2020
• Rescue Organization: Angel City Pit Bulls (Los Angeles, CA)
• Age (as of Dec 2025): Approximately 5 years old (Birthday is estimated to be around February 2020)
• Status: Rescue Dog / Foster Fail
• Noteworthy Achievements: Has his own dedicated Instagram account (@sharkoconnelll); Credited feature on a Billboard Hot 100 song; Featured in a special edition of Vogue Magazine titled "Dogue."
• Other Family Pets: The O'Connell family has a long history of pet ownership, including a rescue cat named Misha and a beloved family dog named Pepper, who sadly passed away in July 2023.

From Foster Puppy to Billboard Star: The Adoption Story

Shark’s adoption story is a perfect example of how the unexpected circumstances of the 2020 lockdown created a silver lining for rescue animals. When the world was shutting down, the O'Connell family opened their home to fostering, which led directly to their permanent adoption of Shark.

The "Foster Fail" That Changed Everything

In April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Billie Eilish and her family began fostering two puppies from the Los Angeles-based rescue organization, Angel City Pit Bulls. Fostering provides a temporary, loving home for animals before they are permanently adopted, but it often leads to what is lovingly called a "foster fail"—when the foster family decides to keep the dog. This is exactly what happened with Shark.

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Billie Eilish announced the adoption on her Instagram story, sharing that she had fallen completely in love with the puppy. She has since described him as having "made my life 1000x better," highlighting the emotional support and joy the rescue pup brought into her life during a challenging time.

Shark's Uncredited Cameo on the Billboard Hot 100

One of the most unique and surprising facts about Shark is his unexpected contribution to his owner's music career. Shark is officially a recording artist, or at least his bark is. The song "I Didn't Change My Number," from Billie Eilish's critically acclaimed 2021 album, *Happier Than Ever*, features an unmistakable sound effect: a dog bark.

Eilish confirmed that the barking sound at the very beginning of the track is indeed a voice memo recording of Shark. This means that Shark's vocal talents technically charted on the Billboard Hot 100, a rare achievement for any pet. This small detail is a charming nod to how integral Shark is to Billie’s daily life and creative process, ensuring the rescue Pit Bull’s legacy is forever cemented in pop culture history.

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The O'Connell Family's Dedication to Pit Bull Advocacy

The choice to adopt a Pit Bull was a conscious and powerful statement. The American Pit Bull Terrier breed often faces unfair stigma and breed-specific legislation, making rescue and adoption difficult. By giving Shark a loving home and proudly showcasing him to her millions of followers, Billie Eilish has become an influential advocate for the breed.

Challenging the Stigma

Billie Eilish joins a growing list of celebrities who actively promote the adoption of Pit Bulls, including Justin Theroux, Kaley Cuoco, Tom Holland, and Patrick Stewart. By sharing countless photos of Shark being a gentle, loving, and goofy family pet, Eilish helps to normalize the breed and challenge the "bad dog" narrative. Her influence encourages fans to consider rescuing a Pit Bull, directly supporting organizations like Angel City Pit Bulls.

A Family of Rescue Animals

Shark is not the only rescued "pitty" in the immediate O'Connell circle. Billie's brother, Finneas O'Connell, and his partner, Claudia Sulewski, also adopted a female Pit Bull named Peaches, also a rescue. The two dogs, Shark and Peaches, are often seen playing together in social media posts, demonstrating the close-knit, animal-loving environment of the O'Connell family. The family's commitment to rescue extends beyond dogs, having also cared for a rescue cat, Misha, and mourned the passing of their long-time family dog, Pepper, in 2023.

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Shark's High-Fashion Moment: Dogue

Shark's celebrity status was officially recognized in the fashion world when he was featured in a special electronic tribute by *Vogue Magazine* titled "Dogue." This humorous and affectionate feature elevated Shark from a simple pet to a fashion icon, proving that his undeniable charm transcends the music industry.

Shark O'Connell's story is a powerful narrative of compassion, rescue, and the unexpected joy that an animal can bring. He is a constant, grounding presence in Billie Eilish's life, a furry ambassador for the Pit Bull breed, and a reminder to her global fanbase of the importance of adopting, not shopping.