Shelter rescues a dog wandering alone with a note on her collar — what it said left everyone heartbroken

The McKamey Animal Center responded with a public message, hoping Lilo’s mom would somehow see it.

PUBLISHED 4 HOURS AGO

(L) A woman writing a note. (R) A shelter staff hugging a dog. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Jacques Julien, (R) Group4 Studio)

It’s not every day that a note changes the course of an animal’s life. But at one Tennessee shelter, that’s exactly what happened. In January 2023, staff at the McKamey Animal Center took in a dog with a story marked by unexpected challenges. As reported by The Dodo, a kind individual found a sweet-faced pup named Lilo wandering alone and brought her to the shelter for safety. What they discovered next explained everything.

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

Lilo still had a leash attached when she was found, but more importantly, there was a handwritten note tied to her collar. It read, “My name is Lilo. Please love me. My mom can’t keep me and is homeless with two kids. She tried her best but couldn’t [sic] get help. I cost too much for her. She really loves me, and I’m a great dog and love to be loved on. Please don’t abuse me.” Shelter staff were deeply moved by the message. While they were relieved Lilo was safe, they couldn’t stop thinking about the person who had loved her enough to let her go.

A dog with a blue collar sitting inside a cage (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Alexandra Jursova) — A dog with a blue collar sitting inside a cage. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Alexandra Jursova)

The McKamey Animal Center responded with a public message, hoping Lilo’s mom would somehow see it. “We are so sorry that you had to make the decision to leave [Lilo] behind,” they wrote. “We know how hard it must be to give up an animal you so clearly loved because you can’t provide the care she needs. We understand. We want you to know she is safe, and we will take the very best care of her. She will be loved by our staff and volunteers, we will keep her name, and we promise you we will do our best to find her a wonderful new home. But if you are reading this, we hope you will come forward to reclaim her. We will help you with whatever you need to care for her.”

A homeless man with his dog. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Mart Production)

Just days after that message was posted, the shelter heard from Lilo’s mom. She had been located and was invited to reunite with her beloved dog. While her situation hadn’t yet improved, the reunion brought a spark of hope. Shelter staff emphasized that Lilo’s story isn’t unique, with many pet owners facing homelessness, struggling silently. According to a report by the National Institutes of Health, about 23% of homeless youth in a study of 398 in Los Angeles had pets. Most said their pets gave them love and companionship, but many also found it harder to stay in shelters. Homeless pet owners felt less lonely and depressed, but they used fewer housing and job services.

Many shelters don’t allow animals, which forces some youth to choose between help and staying with their pets. The NIH study shows the need for more pet-friendly support services for homeless youth. “Abandoning an animal is illegal, but more importantly, it should never have to be an option,” the rescue shelter wrote. McKamey encourages anyone in crisis to reach out. Resources like local shelters and national groups, including Feeding Pets of the Homeless, exist to help keep people and their pets together.