‘No longer wanted’ puppy was dropped at the shelter — staff then found a wedding ring on her collar

Every year, thousands of dogs and cats are surrendered to shelters across the country, each with their own story. Some are given up due to life changes; others are simply abandoned without much explanation. But every now and then, a case stands out, one that feels heavier, more personal. That’s exactly what happened recently at a shelter in Charlotte, North Carolina. As shared in an August 7 post by @forgotten_now_family_rescue on Instagram and later reported by Newsweek, one young dog arrived with a surprising and emotional item attached to her collar.

The dog, a 1-year-old named Lotus, was surrendered to the county shelter with no detailed reason, just a heartbreaking message that the owner “no longer wanted her.”  What made the situation even more unusual was the gold wedding ring looped onto her collar, where a name tag would normally go. Just like Lotus, many more canine pets are abandoned by their owners and rescued by animal shelters. According to a statistical report by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in 2024, about 5.8 million dogs and cats were taken into shelters and rescues, which is just a little less than the year before. The numbers were almost evenly split between dogs and cats, with both groups contributing to the small drop in shelter intake. 

According to another report by the National Library of Medicine, the separation of married partners is indeed one of the top reasons for the relinquishment of pets. People often give up their dogs to shelters because of personal problems or life changes. Common reasons include not having enough time, feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility, having a new baby, going through a divorce, or dealing with legal issues. Many owners also say that the cost of caring for a dog is too high, which is why they might not even be able to afford regular vet visits. These are some of the most common reasons dogs end up in shelters.

There was no explanation, just that quiet gesture. Shelter staff were told that Lotus was good with kids, dogs, and cats. Still, she was left behind, scared and confused. “My heart hurts for this girl,” the rescue shared in their caption. Despite her nerves, she remained calm and gentle. Thankfully, a foster volunteer known as @hangingwith_henry stepped in and took Lotus home, helping her begin to adjust in a safe, loving environment.

Now, Lotus is doing much better. Her black, scruffy fur and soft eyes have already won over many hearts online, and she’s officially listed as pending adoption. The Forgotten, Now Family Rescue confirmed they have received plenty of applications, but for those still interested in a dog like Lotus, they are happy to help match people with similar dogs in need. “She is so sweet and confused,” the post read, capturing just how deeply her story has touched the community. Many internet users also shared their opinion regarding the story. @helen_teleri wrote, "Discard the spouse if necessary. Never discard the dog." @kristina_onthemove commented, "Wow, people, this is what we are doing now! That's so mean. I just will never understand. She is so cute! I know someone is going to love her so much." @pinkbunny614 shared, "When I was still married, I had to rehome my dog for a while when my husband became an abusive drunk to keep her safe."

For more adoption and rescue-related animal content, follow @forgotten_now_family_rescue on their Instagram account.