ANIMALS
Shelter Reconnects Unhoused Woman with Her Dog and Promises Support After Seeing Pet with a Note
McKamey Animal Center posted on Facebook to get in touch with the dog’s owner. The dog was found with a note, and now the center is assisting the pet parent and her family.
A Tennessee animal shelter brought together a homeless woman with her cherished dog, Lilo. The shelter discovered the dog with a note from the owner, explaining that she couldn’t afford to keep her.
As per a Facebook post on January 24 by McKamey Animal Center (MAC), a kind person found Lilo roaming in Chattanooga with a note attached to her collar. The Good Samaritan brought the dog to the shelter.
“Please keep my name. My name is Lilo,” read the note attached to Lilo’s collar, according to the McKamey Animal Center’s post, which also included a photo of the dog. “Please love me. My mom can’t keep me and is homeless with 2 kids. She tried her best but can’t get help. I cost too much for her.”
“She really loves me, and I’m a great dog and loved to be loved on,” the note continued, adding, “Please don’t abuse me.”
In their Facebook post about the situation, MAC wrote a message addressed “to Lilo’s mom,” with the aim of reaching out to the dog’s owner.
“We want you to know she is safe, and we will take the very best care of her. She will be loved by our staff and volunteers, we will keep her name, and we promise you we will do our best to find her a wonderful new home. But if you are reading this, we hope you will come forward to reclaim her,” the shelter wrote to Lilo’s mom.
“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,” the McKamey Animal Center added.
Shortly after receiving kind messages for Lilo’s mom, the shelter posted an update, letting everyone know that they had found the owner.
On January 25, McKamey Animal Center posted a picture on social media showing Lilo and her owner hugging.
“While we can’t share a lot of the details with you yet, we are actively working with the family to set them up with a safe haven, shelter, and resources to stay together and tackle homelessness. We are thankful for everyone who has advocated for the family, and shared our post. We are amazed at the outpouring of support. It truly takes a community, and you all have certainly shown us how powerful ours is — thank you so much,” the shelter added in the post.
To wrap up the post, MAC suggested that those touched by Lilo and her owner’s story think about adopting a rescued pet. The shelter also provided ideas on how pet owners can give back and assist other people.