Seeing abandoned or stray dogs has sadly become far too common.
Sometimes, owners will bring their pets to a shelter when they can no longer care for them, hoping they will find a better life.
But many times, dogs aren’t given that chance. They are simply left to survive on their own.
Dog Found Inside The Bag
On his way to work at the Oklahoma Humane Society, Scott Lockard noticed a black bag tied to the shelter’s door handle.
When he checked inside, he found a small brown dog. This was not the first time Scott had come across animals left behind at the center. He told The Dodo:
This wasn’t the first time I have arrived at the adoption center to find animals waiting there, so I can’t say I was super surprised. I was happy to get her in and fed and watered, so I was mostly just thinking about getting the little dog comfortable.
Once she was brought inside, Scott spent some time with the pup. She was a little shy at first but seemed healthy overall.
Looking deeper into the bag, he found a handwritten note.
The message said, “Her name is Maris, find her a good home.”
The words were heartbreaking, showing that the person who left her may have cared but felt unable to keep her.
Shelter Faces A Growing Problem
To highlight the rising number of abandoned dogs, the humane society shared Maris’s photo online.
Roshelle Anderson, the marketing manager, explained to The Dodo: “We didn’t post the photo to specifically call out the people who left the pet, but rather, to bring attention to a greater problem facing our community.”
The shelter is struggling. With adoptions slowing and more dogs arriving, space and resources are stretched thin.
They continue to encourage people to adopt, giving more animals the chance to find loving homes.
At the time of writing, Maris was still waiting for her forever family. With her gentle and sweet nature, there is hope that someone kind will welcome her soon.