In Michigan, the Harbor Humane Society made it clear that animal dumping is unacceptable. They placed a sign at the entrance stating, “Do not abandon an animal here. Wait until business hours. No fee for bringing an animal to HHS. For the sake of the animal, please be humane.” A similar sign was also positioned behind the shelter near a picnic table.
Heartbreaking Find
One morning, a worker entering the shelter noticed nothing out of the ordinary at the front. However, upon stepping out the back, they discovered a small puppy tied to the base of the “do not abandon animals” sign. It appeared that the pup had been abandoned the previous night, and security footage confirmed this, revealing that she was left around 9 p.m. and found at 7:30 a.m. the next morning, waiting outside for over 11 hours to be rescued.
Harbor Humane
“Initially, she was nervous and scared, barking at her. But once she crouched down and gave her some time, she quickly warmed up and crawled right into her lap. She has been very friendly ever since!” said Jen Nuernberg, director of marketing and strategic initiatives at Harbor Humane Society, in an interview with The Dodo. Spending the whole night alone affected Trixie, as she kept wondering why she was no longer with her previous owners. However, upon meeting her new caretakers, she quickly adjusted, receiving food and warmth.
As staff members arrived, they were heartbroken hearing Trixie’s story and ran tests to ensure her health; thankfully, she was found to be in good health but a bit confused.
Harbor Humane
“When someone abandons an animal without any information, we are just left to guess. We can assume she is about 3 to 4 years old, but we don’t know her story, name, likes, or favorite treats or toys. This is the information we try to collect when animals are surrendered to the shelter,” said Jen Self Aulgur, executive director at Harbor Humane Society, to The Dodo.
The shelter staff hope Trixie’s previous owners will come forward to provide more details about her before she is adopted, as this would help them find the perfect forever home.
“This pup deserves to have her story and history known. We do not want to shame or get you in trouble — we just want to help this poor pup,” Self Aulgur remarked.
Harbor Humane
Currently, Trixie enjoys the affection of her new caregivers who are tending to her needs. After a suitable period, she will be available for adoption, but until then, she is relishing her time being showered with love and attention.
Final Word
This incident illustrates the serious consequences of pet abandonment.
Pets form strong bonds with their owners and surroundings, making abrupt changes distressing for them. If you find yourself unable to care for your furry companions, please do not abandon them. Instead, take them to a local shelter, where they can receive the care they deserve and a chance at a new life.
Every animal deserves love and a second chance!
