Shelter In search of Answers After Dog Left at ‘Do Not Abandon’ Signal

A canine in Michigan was left alone for almost 11 hours, tied to an indication exterior an animal shelter that reads “Do Not Abandon An Animal Here.”

Now, the shelter is in search of solutions from the general public — and the pet’s former proprietor — to find out how greatest to take care of the canine.

On April 9, Harbor Humane Society in West Olive, Michigan, revealed on Facebook {that a} lady left a canine tied to an old signal behind its shelter in a single day.

“Situations like this happen a minimum of a dozen instances a yr right here. Nationwide, I’d say it may be a every day prevalence at some shelters,” the organization’s govt director, Jen Self Aulgur, mentioned in an announcement obtained by PEOPLE, including that the shelter is now “simply left to guess” in regards to the pup’s historical past.

According to Aulgur, the canine is round 3-4 years old, however no one is aware of “her story, her identify, her likes, her favourite treats or toys” — info that an proprietor would usually share when correctly surrendering a pet on the shelter throughout business hours.

Shelter staff found the pup on April 10 round 7:30 a.m., almost 11 hours after surveillance footage confirmed a lady leaving her canine there round 9:05 p.m. the earlier night time.

The chihuahua combine was left towards the again of the shelter, tied up close to its consumption door. While she was nervous and scared —and barked on the worker who discovered her — the pup finally warmed as much as her new associates and has been pleasant and playful since, per Harbor Humane.

The signal itself, in response to the shelter, is outdated and positioned behind the shelter. The old signal reads that charges are related to surrendering an animal, however that’s now not the case — as evidenced by a brand new signal within the entrance of the placement.

“We know there’s a whole lot of causes folks cannot hold their pets. But please, don’t tie your pet in a single day at a shelter,” the Facebook submit learn. “This pup deserves to have her story and historical past identified. We don’t wish to disgrace or get you in hassle—we simply wish to assist this poor pup.”

According to Harbor Humane, the young canine is a “candy, cuddly, humorous little woman” who enjoys taking part in with the shelter’s workers. However, she’s nonetheless “confused” and “would a lot favor to be along with her folks.”

The canine might be up for adoption after her state-required 7-day stray maintain is accomplished.

Harbor Humane Society’s advertising and marketing director Jen Nurenberg shared in an announcement with PEOPLE that the organization “gives a mess of packages to assist hold pets in properties, and pets and folks collectively” — together with by its consumption diversion program, a pet meals pantry and alternatives for “low-cost” vaccinations and neuterings. Nurenberg additionally notes that many different shelters and rescues within the U.S. have packages that provide help to struggling pet house owners.

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“In this case, we did not get the prospect to speak with the potential proprietor to see if there was something that we might do to assist the animal keep in her home,” Nuernberg mentioned.

Harbor Humane encourages the proprietor or anybody with details about the chihuahua combine to get in touch with the shelter.