It ʜ.ᴜʀᴛs when a pet is abandoned but sometimes life circumstances force people to give up their beloved pet. Pet care can be expensive, and some people feel they can no longer afford to take care of them.
That’s the story told by a letter found attached to a dog – but now a rescue is trying to help both the dog and her family.
On Tuesday, McKamey Animal Center, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, shared a photo of a handwritten letter found attached to a dog named Lilo. The note explained that Lilo’s “mother” could no longer hold her because she was homeless and had two children: “She tried her best but couldn’t get help,” the note read.
“I am too expensive… She really loves me and I am a great dog and loves to be loved,” the note continued. “Please don’t abuse me.”
Lilo was found by a kind Samaritan and taken to the McKamey Animal Center, safe and unharmed. While abandoning a dog like this is never the best course of action, it’s hard not to sympathize with Lilo’s former owner. It seems that she loves the dog and just gave it up because of difficult circumstances.
The McKamey Animal Center was sympathetic, and in response, they wrote a “To Lilo’s Mom.”
“We regret that you had to make the decision to leave her behind. We know many people are having a hard time taking care of their pets right now,” they wrote. “We know how difficult it is to give up an animal you love so much just because you can’t provide the care it needs. We understand.”
They were so sympathetic that they asked the woman to come forward, hoping to reunite her with Lilo. “We will help you with whatever you need to care for her, to the best of our ability. Lilo definitely misses you, and we want nothing more than to see her return to the family she loves so dearly. Either way, know that we understand, we won’t judge, and we’re here to help in any way we can.”
At the same time, they emphasized that abandoning such dogs is wrong and violates the law. Instead, they encourage economically disadvantaged people like Lilo’s mom to take advantage of their programs for low-income pet owners.
They wrote: “While we understand what and why Lilo’s mother did what she did, we wish she had come to us first for resources and help, providing a community pet food store, as well as free and low-cost vaccines, microchips and sterilization services”.
It’s a Hᴇᴀʀᴛʙʀᴇᴀᴋɪɴɢ situation, but McKamey Animal Center is doing the right thing by asking Lilo to reunite with her family and help them get through this difficult time.
We hope Lilo’s mom can get in touch and claim Lilo – but if not, we hope that this poor pup finds another home soon.