‘I already have three big dogs... so taking on the responsibility of another puppy wouldn’t be wise for me’: Rescuer’s tough decision to place mistreated puppy in a shelter rather than keep him, gives the pawdorable pupper hope to find his furever family

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Sep 29, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

Doggo rescues can be surprisingly complex and heartbreaking when it comes down to it. For while there is a good chance that things can go smoothly, from the discovery of the darling doggo, to its medical treatment, induction into shelter life and on to adoption. There is equally as much of a chance that the poor pupper being rescued will end up in the middle of a rather heartbreaking situation.

Such as the one in today's story which involves a home that was already full of puppers before the saved doggo came into the picture, causing the pawrents to make a very difficult decision, even after falling in love with their new doggo. This is the story of doing what is best, even when it is the hardest thing to do. This is the story of letting go when the time is right. This is the story of being a responsible dog pawrent.
 

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  • 01
    Found this lil guy in our neighborhood running around with a collar that had no tags. He was with what looked to be his papa dog, but the papa dog was skittish and
    via savthebav
  • 02
    unfortunately ran off when I leashed his son. I haven't been able to find him since. I have the puppy q. d from my other doggies in the backyard waiting for someone local
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  • 03
    on Nextdoor to claim him! I gave him some water and a little bit of food (not too much since I didn't want his stomach to get upset) and the poor lil guy was famished!
    via savthebav
  • 04
    I'm not sure if he has anything (hence the quarantine), but I did pull off a few ticks and it looks like he's covered in fleas. My next plan of attack is to give this guy a nice wash and treat him with flea medication.
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  • What a sad state to be in at such a young and tender point in life. To think that this poor pupper barely knows anything about this wonderful world that we live in other than that life is itchy, painful, uncomfortable and devoid of food. He deserves so much better than this.

  • 05
    I'll follow up with any updates if someone claims him- but so far all signs are pointing to him being abandoned, poor thing. Our local
    via savthebav
  • 06
    animal shelter is closed today, so if I'm unable to keep him myself, I'll be dropping him off there. If you guys have any suggestions for anything else I should do, please let me know!
    via savthebav
  • 07
    UPDATE: I can't edit the post, so I'll update you all here at the top comment! I took him to the vet to have his microchip scanned in hopes to find his owners. At the vet,
    via savthebav
  • 08
    they told me that since he's a stray they have to hold him at their facility until the local shelter can come pick him up. Until then, they'll have his chipped scanned and contact his owners (if he has any), and make sure he's taken care of and is healthy.
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  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10558513408
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  • 10
    If it turns out he has no chip to contact his owners, they'll make sure he's all good and then from there the shelter will take over. They said the shelter will put him on a stray watch list for a few days just in case his owners turn up. If they never turn up, he'll be officially put up for adoption!
    via savthebav
  • 11
    This poor puppy was showing signs of abuse, and I suspect he was beaten and abandoned by whoever had him before. He must've also been abandoned in the wild for some time for him to have so many ticks and fleas when I found him. I'm so thankful to have a local vet and shelter that cares so thoroughly for these animals.
    via savthebav

  • Hold on a second, what is this nonsense of waiting for someone to come and clam the pupper? Who in their right minds would hand over a poor doggo like this to the person who let them get to be this way? Surely there is more common sense involved in this process than is plain to see here…

  • 12
    As much as I love this lil guy and totally bonded with him today, with my current situation I wouldn't be able to care for him as best as someone else could. I already have three big dogs (German shepherd, German shepherd-
    via savthebav
  • 13
    husky mix, and a German shepherd-pit-golden retriever mix), a cat, and a tortoise; so taking on the responsibility of another puppy wouldn't be wise for me. I'll keep you all updated in the next few days! Let's hope he does have good owners, or that he's adopted by a loving family soon! Thank you guys for all of your support!
    via savthebav
  • 14
    cer... Top 1% C... Thank you for caring for him! He looks to have some German shepherd,
    via savthebav
  • 15
    maybe mixed with some pittie? If he had a collar, seems someone will be looking for him and want him back. Good luck!
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  • 16
    Su... Handsome boy! Thank you for bathing him and keeping him safe. Especially
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  • 17
    since there are plenty of coyotes here in California. Hopefully the owners are found if it is microchipped when you bring to the vet.
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  • 18
    Ex... Top 1% C... You have such a kind heart.. thank you for stepping up for this little guy.
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  • 19
    It's heartbreaking to think he may have been abandoned, but at least now he's safe and being cared for
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  • 20
    Sm... Please keep him and feed him well. You can't go wrong with some rice and ground chicken. He
    via savthebav
  • 21
    looks like a lab/ cattledog/ maybe terrier mix.
    via savthebav

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Tags

big dogs responsibility abuse hope pupper puppy reddit story wise family dog story furever home animal shelter pawdorable Dog Rescue
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