I relate ! on a much lesser level though!

I live in a holler where 3 roads converge. On a regular basis animals are left down in here. I don't know why people think this is a good idea. Coyotes and other animals and ... they usually end up in very bad shape. The animals don't just hop out of the car and then run right to our door. Well, some dogs will but not many.

Fortunately we have a better situation here with the shelter. And, because we live where we live, I have animal control on speed dial. But the last time someone dumped a dog was a Friday afternoon and the shelter didn't open until Tuesday and we don't have a decent way to quarantine one more animal!

So my husband had an idea but we didn't really have a lot of hope. We made a box that said "Free Dog or Pound Dog." Staked the box and the dog down out near the road.

How little hope did we have? We were too busy trying to plan out the what if's of providing shelter for 4 night stay to notice the dog was gone within 30 minutes. Our lead and collar left with him but we really, really didn't mind. Small expense.

The area is so saturated with animals that I really didn't expect anyone to even be able to take in another dog.

One of the biggest hugest problems is that people super often end up with animals because the animal arrives at their doorstep. They have to take it to the shelter or they have to be able to afford to feed and shelter it and keep vermin off of them ... most people around here can barely afford to feed themselves. They can hardly stand the idea of the poor animal at the shelter so they feed it as best they can ... but then babies happen and it all gets out of hand. There's simply no way to afford the expense of vets and etc. They may not be able to take perfect care but it's better than seeing and animal put down.

And vets can't be expected to work for free ... cause legals.

This is not to say there aren't cases of extreme neglect.

Another thing about the Appalachian people is that they are fiercely proud. Last thing they want is to face anyone anyone and admit a need.

And we've been warned not to advertise them in the craigslist etc because dog fights are still a thing here.

I don't envy you your work!