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It’s always heartbreaking when pets are abandoned, but sometimes life circumstances force people to give up their beloved pets. Caring for a pet can be expensive, and some people feel they are no longer in a place to care for them.
That was the story told by one heartbreaking note found attached to a dog — but now, one rescue is trying to help out both the dog and her family.
On Tuesday, the McKamey Animal Center, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, shared a photo of a handwritten note found attached to a dog named Lilo.
The note explains that Lilo’s “mom” can no longer keep her because she is homeless and has two kids: “She tried her best but can’t get help,” the note reads.
“I cost too much… She really loves me & I’m a great dog & love to be loved on,” the note continues. “Please don’t abuse me.”
Lilo was reportedly found by a good samaritan and brought to McKamey Animal Center, safe and unharmed.
Even though abandoning a dog like this is never the best course of action, it’s hard not to feel sympathy for Lilo’s former owner. It does feel like she loved the dog and only gave her up due to desperate circumstances.
The McKamey Animal Center was sympathetic, and in response wrote a “Note to Lilo’s Mom.”
“We are so sorry that you had to make the decision to leave her behind. We know many folks are struggling to care for their pets right now,” they wrote. “We know how hard it must be to give up an animal you so clearly loved because you can’t provide the care she 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 would like nothing more than to see her go back to the family she loves. Either way, please know that we understand, we will not judge, and we are here to help in any way we can.”
At the same time, they stressed that abandoning a dog like this is wrong, and illegal. As an alternative, they encouraged people in difficult economic circumstances, like Lilo’s mom, to take advantage of their programs for low-income pet owners.
“While we understand what and why Lilo’s mom did what she did, we wish that she had come to us first for resources and help,” they wrote. According to their Facebook post, MAC offers a community pet food pantry, as well as free and low-cost vaccines, microchips and spay/neuter services.
“We want Chattanooga to be a community where pets are truly family, not just for the economically privileged, but for everyone,” they wrote.
It’s a heartbreaking situation, but the McKamey Animal Center is doing the right thing by offering to reunite Lilo with her family and help them through these difficult times.
We hope Lilo’s mom is able to get in touch and reclaim Lilo — but if not, we hope that this poor dog finds another home soon.
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