Dog found wandering with note reunited with owner, animal center says

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (TND) — A dog that was found wandering the streets of Chattanooga, Tennessee with a note around her collar has been reunited with its owner, McKamey Animal Center said.

The note indicated that the owner is homeless.

Now, the shelter is working with the owner and her family to set them up with a safe haven and resources to stay together and tackle homelessness.

In the meantime, the animal shelter will be caring for the dog, whose name is Lilo.

We are working with her and a couple agencies in town to get them set back up,"Lauren Mann, who is the director of development for the shelter, told The National Desk during a phone interview Thursday. "Lilo is in our care right now."

Mann added that the homeless shelter the owner and her two children are staying is not able to accommodate pets -- butMcKamey Animal Center is happy to have her.

She's a sweetheart," Mann said. "She loves to play and loves to be loved on, just like her mom said (in the note). She's very good with her family and is just a really great dog."

Mann said a resident found Lilo roaming around on Friday. Animal Control picked up the dog and she was taken to McKamey Animal Center.

"We're so happy that she was found," Mann said.

The note, which said Lilo was too expensive to care of even though she had done nothing wrong, also asked the next owner to look after her and not abuse her.

"My name is Lilo. Please love me. My mom can't keep me and is homeless with 2 kids. She tried her best but can't get help. I cost too much but can't 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."

Mann said the last line, "Please don't abuse me," really hit hard for her and everyone else at the shelter.

We wanted to do everything we could in our power to find her, and we're so grateful that we did," Mann said of the owner, also noting that they verified she was the actual owner.

Mann said McKamey has promised to look after Lilo, but they are encouraging community members to take pets directly to the shelter rather than letting them go.

"While we understand what and why Lilo’s mom did what she did, we wish that she had come to us first for resources and help," the shelter noted in a Facebook post. "We’re here to help and we want to see people and their pets stay together, no matter the circumstance."

McKamey Animal Center, said Mann, has taken in nearly 5,000 animals during the last year. It offers a community pet food pantry, as well as low-cost -- and sometimes free -- vaccines, microchips, and spay/neuter services.

Mann encouraged the public to reach out to animal shelters in their communities to learn more about what their needs are and how they can help.

She also said people can make donations to assist with Lilo's care, along with the hundreds of other animals McKamey Animal Center has taken in.

Mann said anyone in the Chattangooag area can drop off items at the center to support the pet food pantry.Donations can also be made onlineunder the "Ways to Give" tab.

Learn more about McKamey Animal Center's website at mckameyanimalcenter.org.

_____

EDITOR'S NOTE: WTVCcontributed to this report.