Family abandoned shelter dog just 3 days after adopting her — but their desperate note revealed a selfless reason

Even with her loving personality, Jade was still waiting for someone to adopt her.

PUBLISHED 9 HOURS AGO

(L) A sad dog at an animal shelter in a cage. (R) A woman writing a letter. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Dan Brandenburg, (R) Jacques Julien)

Sometimes, a simple message can reveal a much deeper story. That was the case when a young dog was found abandoned with nothing but a handwritten note attached, sparking concern and compassion from all who read it. As reported by Newsweek, her story quickly spread, and what seemed like a heartbreaking start ended with a more hopeful outlook for her future.

Sad german shepherd pondering deeply.(Representative Image Source: Pexels| Photo Rajesh Balouria) — Sad german shepherd pondering deeply.(Representative Image Source: Pexels | Rajesh Balouria)

The dog, a 3-year-old shepherd named Jade, had originally been adopted from a shelter in Olathe, Kansas, in December 2024. But just three days later, she was picked up by animal control. Attached to her was a note that read, “Looking for good home to avoid pound.” Jade was then taken in by Great Plains SPCA, a nonprofit animal shelter based in Kansas. The shelter shared her story on Facebook, where it quickly gained attention, receiving more than 870 likes and 300-plus reshares since being posted.

A woman writing a note. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Jupiter Images)

Jade spent her first month at the shelter stressed and anxious, so the team decided to place her in a foster home. “She did very well in her foster home,” a shelter spokesperson told the outlet. “It was an apartment, and she did great with that. We are very happy that she has done so well in foster because that means she will do great in a home when she gets adopted, too.” Jade later returned to the animal shelter. The organization described the young canine as sweet, playful, and full of energy. She loves walks, playing with toys, and spending time with people, including older children. The shelter further shared that she also knows commands like “sit,” “down,” and “shake,” and gets along well with other large dogs.

A family at an animal shelter. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | bluecinema)

Even with her loving personality, Jade was still waiting for someone to adopt her. Great Plains SPCA hoped her story would help connect her with the right family. “If anyone is interested in adopting Jade, they can visit our website at greatplainsspca.org,” the shelter said. “If people want to support Jade and our other animals, but can't adopt, we always appreciate donations.” As per the outlet, in 2024 alone, the organization cared for over 6,800 animals, with 1,878 finding new homes. Their mission is to be a safety net for animals in need, and Jade is one of many still hoping for that forever home.

A woman hugging a German Shepherd (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Eleganza) — A woman hugging a German Shepherd (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Eleganza)

Many internet users reacted to the viral Facebook post shared by the organization. Numerous users also showed interest in adopting Jade in the comment section. Cindy Franklin Williams wrote, "I’ll take her, poor baby! I have a fenced-in backyard, and does she do well with kids? I also have a black Lab who loves to play." Shirley Hodges added, "How beautiful, look how smart, I've [sic] got three or I'll [sic] take this baby."

The hard work of the rescue team eventually paid off, and Jade's profile now states her as adopted and with a loving new family: "The pet whose profile you have requested has already found a home!" Luckily, many individuals are now considering adoption. According to a report by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in 2024, around 4.2 million shelter animals found loving homes, including about 2 million dogs.