Achi news desk-
A heartbreaking discovery in Aldergrove over the weekend could be a sign of a bigger problem.
Luna, a two-year-old mixed breed dog, was found abandoned at the gates of the Patti Dale Animal Shelter early Saturday morning.
“It was tied with a jacket on and she had a harness on and she was obviously very happy,” Sarah Jones, executive director of the Langley Society for the Protection of Animals told Global News.
“There was also a small piece of blanket left.”
Jones said Luna was very scared, barking at everyone, and it took 40 minutes and a few hot dogs until staff could get to her and untie her.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she said.
“Obviously, someone couldn’t take care of her. anymore. And so they made that desperate decision to leave her here with us, but we wanted to know more background so we could help her.”
Jones said they posted on their Facebook page about the dog, asking if anyone recognized her and someone messaged them saying they did and from there staff were able to track down Luna’s owner .
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It appears that she was left there by a woman who needed medical treatment and could no longer care for her.
The Langley Animal Protection Society currently has nearly 30 dogs looking for a home with other shelters reporting a similar increase in surrendered pets.
“Recently, we have seen a significant increase in the number of pets being abandoned,” said Jones.
“Dogs, especially larger breed dogs and usually puppies. We see puppies abandoned on the side of highways. We see people bringing dogs in saying ‘well we found this rubbish’ but it’s pretty clear it’s tracking back to them.”
Post-pandemic oversupply is partly to blame but the main reason, according to the association, is the current economy.
“People are having financial difficulties,” said Jones.
“It doesn’t really matter how much money you make. If you’re not in that top tier, you definitely see the impact on grocery bills on housing, everything, and animals and people are innately connected. So what happens with people is also going to be happening with animals because the people who care for them and people make desperate decisions because they need to feed their families.”
Jones said they even have people contacting them for emergency accommodation for their pets as they are living in their cars while trying to find somewhere to live.
They will now work to find Luna a new home.
Anyone who can no longer care for their animal should call their local shelter for help as they will accept the animal without judgement.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
