Since the Harbor Humane Society, an animal sanctuary located in Michigan, experienced its share of pets discarded at their main entrance, they ensured to communicate that such actions were unacceptable.
They erected a sign that plainly stated that animal abandonment was prohibited!
“Do not leave an animal here. Please wait until business hours. There is no fee for taking an animal to HHS. For the welfare of the animal, exercise kindness,” the sign expresses.
Another sign with the same message was positioned behind the shelter adjacent to a picnic table where staff would take their breaks.
Typically, these explicit signs were honored… until one particular day.
Heartbreaking Discovery
When an employee arrived one morning to open the Michigan shelter, they didn’t observe anything out of the ordinary at the front of the establishment. However, the same could not be spoken of the rear.
Upon emerging from the back, they discovered a small puppy tethered to the base of the “do not abandon animals” sign. They conjectured that the puppy had been left behind the previous night, and after reviewing the security footage, their assumptions were validated.
The video distinctly illustrated that the dog, who was later named Trixie, was dropped off at approximately 9 p.m. and wasn’t found until 7:30 a.m. the following morning. This indicates that she had been outside for 11 hours, awaiting rescue.
“Initially, she was anxious and frightened, barking at her. But once she crouched down and offered her some patience, she quickly became friendly and climbed right into her lap. She has been incredibly loving ever since!” Jen Nuernberg, director of marketing and strategic initiatives at Harbor Humane Society, conveyed to The Dodo.
Having spent the entire night alone indeed affected Trixie as she kept pondering why she was no longer with her humans.
However, upon meeting her new humans, everything was right again. The rescuer hurried her inside, where she warmed up and indulged in some tasty food.
When the other staff members arrived, they were utterly heartbroken upon hearing Trixie’s tale.
They subsequently conducted some examinations on this lovely girl, which, fortunately, confirmed that she was in good condition – she was merely a bit bewildered.
“When someone discards an animal without any details, we are left to speculate. So we can estimate she is about 3 to 4 years old, yet we lack her narrative, her name, her preferences, and her favorite treats or toys. This is the kind of information we attempt to gather on animals when they are surrendered to the shelter,” Jen Self Aulgur, executive director at Harbor Humane Society, shared with The Dodo.
The Michigan shelter staff hope that Trixie’s former owners will come forward to provide some further information about her before she is adopted, as such information will aid them in finding her an ideal home.
“This puppy deserves to have her history and background recognized. We do not seek to shame or punish anyone — we simply want to assist this unfortunate puppy,” Self Aulgur expressed.
At present, Trixie is secure with the caring humans who ensure she has all she requires. After a period, she will become available for adoption, but for the moment, she is relishing her stay while receiving as many hugs and kisses as her little heart can handle.
Closing Remarks
This narrative serves as an ideal illustration of why you should never abandon your pets.
While under your care, your pets grow attached to you and their environment, and any abrupt change can cause them great distress.
Therefore, if you find yourself incapable of caring for your furry companions any longer, please refrain from abandoning them like this. Take them to your local shelter, introduce them to the staff, and provide them with a second opportunity for a fulfilling life.
They deserve it!