Earlier this week, staff members at New Jersey’s Bloomfield Animal Shelter (BAS) drove into work preparing for a typical shift of saving lives. They were shocked when they pulled up to BAS’ headquarters and found two heartbroken souls already waiting for them at the gate.
When they approached the two pups, they realized that someone had tethered the sweet boys to the property and left a heartbreaking message.
“Staff arrived to the shelter this morning, Monday, 9/16/2024, to find these two seniors tied to our fence and left with a note from their owner,” BAS wrote on Facebook.
The staff’s heart sank as they read the note, which gave insight into the pups’ backgrounds.
“Hi. I am sorry, but my babies deserve to live their golden years happy and in a good, warm home for the winter,” the note read. “I can’t take care of them while living on the street. Our home was foreclosed on, putting us out in the street. Please take care of them and don’t kill them.”
As they read the note, the staff looked down at the pair of dogs, whose sage faces were covered in gray hairs. Then, they discovered their names.
“Hi, we are Shadow (black baby) and Tiger (brown brindle baby), and we are littermate brothers,” the note continued. “We were born in 2009. We have a birthday coming up around October 12. We will be 15 years old!!!!! Please keep us together if you can.”
The note described the pups as friendly toward other pets and extremely loving toward people and kids. According to the writer, the pups were not aggressive and were in good health overall. But sadly, without being able to talk directly with their family, BAS couldn’t verify any of this information.
Even more frustrating, the shelter was completely full and had no space to house the dogs.
“While we feel terrible for the circumstances, this is an unacceptable way to turn your pets into the shelter, especially when there are no open cages,” BAS wrote.
You can see more images from the pups’ rescue here:
The shelter put out a desperate plea for an emergency foster home, and thankfully, an organization called Scooby-Doo’s Rescue Mission (SDRM) offered to help. SDRM’s Christine Biggiani Bakelaar rushed to BAS’ headquarters to pick up the dogs.
Biggiani Bakelaar fell for the sweet pups as soon as she saw their picture, but it wasn’t until she read their note that she realized just how connected they were.
“OMG! I just re-read the letter written by the owner of the two dogs that Scooby-Doo’s Rescue picked up from The Bloomfield Animal Shelter NJ, [and] their birthday is October 12… THATS MY BIRTHDAY!!!” Biggiani Bakelaar wrote on Facebook. “This was meant to be.”
Biggiani Bakelaar found a loving foster home for the dogs, where they will stay temporarily. Meanwhile, their rescuers are trying to find their previous family in hopes of learning more about their medical history. If anything, Biggiani Bakelaar would like to reassure Shadow and Tiger’s previous family that the boys are doing well.
“If anyone on here sees this and knows the people, please have them reach out to me. No questions asked, other than I want to know more about them, and I truly [want to] let them know that their boys are OK. I promise never to separate them,” Biggiani Bakelaar wrote in a Facebook comment. “I want them to visit them. Or at least allow me to send them updates. I can’t even imagine what this family is going through.”
You can watch footage of the pups after their rescue here:
Sadly, Shadow and Tiger’s story is part of an ongoing shelter crisis across the country, where families are faced with relinquishing their pets due to housing instability and financial insecurity. While their story is one of many heartbreaking tales of separated families, these boys are now in the best care with their SDRM foster.
“They are on a farm with a very dear friend, where they will be loved and well cared for,” Biggiani Bakelaar wrote on Facebook. “They need to decompress. [They] certainly will with all the love that they are getting.”
You can see more videos of Shadow and Tiger in their foster home here:
Shadow and Tiger will remain in foster care for the foreseeable future, where they receive three meals a day as part of their weight-gaining meal plan.
While the team is still figuring out how to proceed with the pups’ case, whether it be waiting for the previous family to contact them or eventually finding a new one, the two boys continue to soak up the love and care they are currently receiving.
Shadow and Tiger are so happy to be in a safe, loving home, and their rescuers are just are grateful.
“Shadow and Tiger want to say thank you to all of you for loving them so much on this beautiful sunny day,” Biggiani Bakelaar wrote in a Facebook update. “Thank you so much again.”
To help pets like Tiger and Shadow get the care they need, you can check out Bloomfield Animal Shelter’s Amazon wishlist here and donate to Scooby-Doo’s Rescue Mission here.
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