A puppy is looking for a forever home after being found roaming the streets in Wales with a heart-wrenching note attached to his collar.
According to Wales Online, the dog was discovered in the town of Bridgend, 20 miles west of Cardiff, at the end of August. The note on his collar was tucked into an envelope that read, “Help me!! My name is Chase.”
A note inside the envelope provided more information about the stray animal. “My name: Chase. I am 1 yr old November 16. I am very friendly and kind, good with kids,” it read. “I need a new home as my owner cannot take care of me. Please help me. Thank you.”
Chase was taken in by a local animal shelter, Hope Rescue, which told Wales Online that the puppy was “very nervous” when he arrived following his ordeal living alone on the streets.
“He was very shell-shocked when he arrived to us,” the rescue said. “He spent a lot of time just hiding away in his kennel. He was very nervous and didn’t want to go on walks, interact with toys or other dogs. We gave him a lot of TLC to try and build his confidence.”
After spending a few weeks acclimating to his new environment, Chase grew more comfortable and began to trust the rescue’s staff. He has now been placed with a “loving” foster family as he awaits adoption, per Wales Online, and he’s already made some new friends at his temporary home.
“A foster home came forward. They’ve got two little dogs that he’s really enjoying the company of and he’s already starting to show his playful side,” the organization told the outlet. “Although he’s been through a really stressful situation, we’re hoping that now he is on the way up and will have a lovely life with his people.”
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On Aug. 26, Hope Rescue shared a post on Instagram in the hopes of reaching Chase’s owner and reassuring them that the dog is now in safe hands.
Alongside a photo of the note found on Chase’s collar and a snapshot of the dog being held by a staff member, the organization wrote, “Young Chase was found straying in the Treoes lanes, Bridgend earlier today. He had a note taped to his collar asking the finder to help him. Fortunately for Chase he was brought into the centre, and hopefully his owner will see this post and know that he is safe 🥰.”
The rescue then detailed how its facility had been inundated with requests to take in dogs over the summer.
“😢 In July alone we received 156 calls to take in 226 dogs. We took in 72 dogs in July, and this month so far we have already taken in 146 dogs,” the shelter wrote.
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“Most of these dogs are strays or dogs seized from illegal and low welfare breeders,” they continued. “With the animal welfare sector in crisis, we know how hard it is to find rescue spaces right now, but we would urge owners to still call local and breed rescues and try their hardest to wait for a space.”
The rescue directed people to its website, where donations can be made to support Chase and other animals in its care.