Heartbreaking Abandonment at Bloomfield Animal Shelter
Earlier this week, the staff at New Jersey’s Bloomfield Animal Shelter (BAS) arrived for their usual day of work, only to be greeted with an unexpected and emotional scene. Tied to the fence outside the shelter were two senior dogs, left by their owner along with a note explaining their situation. The staff quickly realized that the dogs, named Shadow and Tiger, were littermates born in 2009. The note detailed the owner’s desperate situation: after losing their home and being forced to live on the streets, they could no longer care for the dogs. Their heartfelt plea asked that the shelter find them a warm home to live out their remaining years, and begged that the dogs not be separated or euthanized.
Despite their full capacity, the shelter staff felt the weight of the situation and took immediate steps to help these elderly dogs, while recognizing the larger crisis of pet abandonment due to housing insecurity.
Rescuer’s Heart Breaks After Finding Note Left with Two Elderly Dogs Tied to Fence
A Desperate Plea for Help
The note left with Shadow and Tiger painted a heartbreaking picture of the owner’s struggle. It revealed their deep love for the dogs, but explained their inability to provide for them while living on the streets after their home was foreclosed. The plea was simple yet profound: the dogs deserved to spend their golden years in a loving home, safe and warm for the winter. The note made it clear that they were well-behaved, non-aggressive, and in generally good health. However, without direct communication with the owner, BAS could not verify this information. The most important request from the owner was that the dogs, now 15 years old, not be separated, as they had been together their entire lives.
BAS faced a difficult decision. Already operating at full capacity with no open cages, the shelter was unable to accommodate the dogs long-term. But the team, moved by the situation, issued an urgent call for help to find an emergency foster home.
A Desperate Plea for Help
A Rescue Mission to the Dogs’ Aid
Fortunately, an organization called Scooby-Doo’s Rescue Mission (SDRM) responded to the call. Christine Biggiani Bakelaar, a key member of SDRM, rushed to Bloomfield Animal Shelter to pick up Shadow and Tiger. Upon seeing their photo and reading the note, Biggiani Bakelaar felt an immediate connection to the dogs. In a twist of fate, their birthday, October 12, was the same as hers. She saw this as a sign and knew she was meant to help these two senior pups.
Bakelaar quickly arranged a loving foster home for Shadow and Tiger, where they are now staying temporarily. She also expressed a desire to reconnect with their previous owner, not to ask questions or place blame, but to gather more information about the dogs and reassure the family that they are safe. Through social media, Bakelaar put out a message hoping to find the owner, offering updates on the dogs’ progress and a chance for them to visit or stay in contact.
A Rescue Mission to the Dogs’ Aid
The Ongoing Shelter Crisis
Shadow and Tiger’s story is not an isolated case. Across the country, shelters are overwhelmed with pets being relinquished due to financial instability, housing issues, and other crises. The bond between pets and their owners is strong, but in tough economic times, many families are faced with the heartbreaking decision to give up their beloved animals. Shadow and Tiger were lucky to find a loving foster home quickly, but thousands of other animals remain in overcrowded shelters, waiting for their second chance.
For now, Shadow and Tiger are thriving in their temporary home. They are staying on a farm with a friend of Bakelaar’s, receiving the love and care they need to decompress from the stress of abandonment. They have been placed on a weight-gain meal plan and are enjoying three meals a day. Their future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: they are now in a safe, loving environment where they can enjoy their golden years.
The Ongoing Shelter Crisis
As the team at Scooby-Doo’s Rescue Mission continues to search for their previous family or a new forever home, Shadow and Tiger are soaking up the love and attention they deserve. Their story is a reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding during difficult times, and the hope that even in the face of abandonment, there are people willing to step up and help.
In a recent update, Bakelaar shared how grateful she is for the outpouring of support for Shadow and Tiger. “Thank you to everyone who has shown love to these two sweet boys,” she wrote. “They are happy and safe, and we are doing everything we can to ensure they have the best possible future.” Shadow and Tiger may have been abandoned, but they are far from alone, surrounded by a community of caring individuals who want nothing more than to see them thrive.
