Rescue shelter staff have seen their fair share of heartbreaking situations with animals entering their care. Surrendered pups often arrive confused, anxious, or even depressed, but stray dogs are frequently in even worse shape.
Abandoned and exposed to the harsh realities of street life, they are often frightened and defensive, requiring extra patience and care from staff to earn their trust.
Sometimes, though, these dogs seem to sense that rescuers are there to give them a second chance—just like in today’s story.
Curley’s Abandonment
Shelter staff at SPCA Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, New York, noticed something unusual when they found a dog and her puppies on the sidewalk just outside their center. The mother, tied to a carrier holding her four puppies, had clearly been abandoned.
“Unfortunately, no note or paperwork was left with them, and no one had reached out to us for help beforehand. If they had, we would have gladly taken this little family in,” said Lisa Bonanno-Spence, the shelter’s director, to Newsweek.
The mother, later named Nora, was visibly scared, yet she didn’t run when the staff approached—as if she sensed they were there to help.
The Backstory
An investigation soon uncovered the former owner, who explained that they’d been misinformed that the two dogs couldn’t breed due to their size difference, leading them to skip spaying and neutering.
When the unplanned pregnancy led to changes in Nora’s behavior, the owner ultimately decided to abandon her and the puppies.
“Mom is about 2 years old, likely a mix resembling a ridgeback and hound, while the puppies resemble pit bulls, which was the father’s breed,” Bonanno-Spence explained.
The family was brought into the shelter, where caring staff made sure they had everything they needed.
“Mom is still wary but growing more trusting each day. We’re confident that with time, patience, and support, she’ll fully come out of her shell,” Bonanno-Spence added.
A Hopeful Future
With time, both Nora and her pups will put their difficult past behind them and enjoy a life full of happiness. SPCA Westchester is doing everything possible to ensure that happens.
“We’re hoping to find a quiet, dog-savvy foster home for mom, or she’ll remain at our center for rehabilitation,” Bonanno-Spence concluded.
The Importance of Being Informed
Contrary to popular belief, dogs of any size can mate and produce puppies.
For owners with unspayed or unneutered pets of opposite sexes, unwanted litters can occur, and abandonment is not a humane solution.
According to research by The Zebra, an estimated 3.9 million dogs in the U.S. are abandoned, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
With responsible pet care, unwanted pregnancies can be prevented, and in cases where they do occur, local shelters are a far kinder alternative to abandonment.
If you ever face a similar situation, remember—these animals deserve a chance at a loving life. Taking them to a shelter or finding them a home can make all the difference.