A healthy terrier mix should weight around 50 pounds, but the dog in this story weighed just 30 pounds when she was found.
The dog had been found wandering around the grounds of the Delaware Humane Association (DHA) after a shelter dog had been taken out for a walk. It wasn’t long before the shelter dog noticed her and began barking frantically, bringing attention to the shelter staff.
As the staff member got closer to the lone dog, they realized that she was very emaciated and was wearing an incredibly oversized spiked leather harness with a bag and note attached.
The handwritten note broke the staffer’s heart and prompted her to bring the poor girl inside shelter walls.
The note began:
“Please take care of Sky,” the note said. “She is 6 years old and friendly. I couldn’t take care of her. I became homeless and couldn’t feed her. She is not sick, just hungry, very friendly. Please find her a home. Please.”
Kerry Flanagan Bruni, director of animal care at the Delaware Humane Association, performed a medical evaluation on the hungry dog and it revealed that she was nearly 20 pounds underweight for a dog of her breed, a terrier mix.
“It appears just to be that she wasn’t being fed the proper amount,” Flanagan Bruni said. More information in the video below.
Thankfully, aside from being underweight, she seemed to be in high spirits.
Flanagan Bruni said that Sky appeared to be extremely friendly and even loved to be around other dogs. It was clear that she certainly wasn’t left behind because of any personality or behavioral issues – now, she just had to make sure that nothing serious was contributing to her emaciated demeanor, aside from the lack of food. Now awaiting test results, the veterinarian staff wants to clear her of any potential parasites. She was also covered in fleas, so tapeworms were a concern as well.
You’ll see just how friendly the sweet girl is in the news video below.
Even though Sky had been abandoned in a terrible state, DHA took to Facebook to show compassion, not only for the dog, but for the person that felt forced to give her up in such a manner.
https://www.facebook.com/delawarehumane/photos/a.10155162140286153/10156766447231153/?type=3&theater
“We can’t imagine this was easy for her former owner, so please refrain from expressing any negative thoughts you may have,” their post read.
Sky is currently being held at the shelter in Delaware on a ‘five-day stray hold’ just in case her owner decides to come and reclaim her, or – in case she had been stolen from someone and abandoned.
Flanagan Bruni said that since posting her photos on Facebook, Sky has received quite a few adoption applications, but no decision will be made until the hold is over.
https://www.facebook.com/delawarehumane/photos/a.10155162140286153/10156766447036153/?type=3&theater
In addition to the protocol of the five-day hold, Sky will need to gain a significant amount of weight before she’s able to go home with a new family. This is so that she can be of healthy weight to be spayed.
If no one claims Sky, the shelter plans on placing her in a foster home or a foster-to-adopt home so that she can be under the supervision of the shelter during her recovery and adjustment to her new life.
https://www.facebook.com/delawarehumane/photos/a.10155162140286153/10156766446961153/?type=3&theater
So, what if the previous owner returned to the shelter grounds to reclaim her?
“We would be willing to work with them to reunite them, but it would really depend on the situation and the owner’s circumstances,” Flanagan Bruni said. “Sometimes, the best option is to surrender a pet if you are unable to care for them, which includes shelter.”
The DHA says that they would not charge the owner for a fee to reclaim her, but they would be responsible for Sky’s medical bills. More about Sky and her situation in the news video below.
Sadly, Sky isn’t the only dog to have been abandoned at DHA in this manner.
https://www.facebook.com/delawarehumane/photos/a.10155162140286153/10156766447306153/?type=3&theater
Approximately 15-20 dogs and cats are abandoned to DHA every year, Flanagan Bruni says. The no-kill shelter, however, does not accept walk-in surrenders. Normally, they would accept a $75 donation when a pet is surrendered – although, they have taken less.
“Surrenders must be scheduled so the shelter can evaluate the animals and make sure it has enough resources,” she said.
The stats from DHA are shocking – they took in approximately 400 owner surrenders and nearly 600 additional stray animals just last year. They even take in other animals from nearby overcrowded and kill shelters.
More in the news video below.
How can you help Sky?
https://www.facebook.com/delawarehumane/photos/a.10155162140286153/10156766447386153/?type=3&theater
Sky is currently in great hands, so there is certainly some comfort in that. However, the Delaware Humane Association is always in need of donations to help with all of their medical expenses and supplies. You can donate to Sky and her medical bills by visiting the DHA Donate Page. Be sure to leave a comment that you’d like the donation to go directly to Sky.
Want to help out with something other than money? You can also donate an item from the DHA’s Amazon Wish List.
Since the DHA posted Sky’s story on Facebook, the love has been pouring in. Watch her video below and let’s help spread the love to find her a new forever home.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
