CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – After finding a 6-week-old brindle mix puppy dead in a crate outside its gate on Wednesday, Clay County Animal Care and Control is reminding struggling pet owners that if they can't afford an animal, there are other options.
Animal Control and Care said there are multiple options for struggling pet owners. Those who can't take care of their pets can take them to the Animal Care and Control Center, the Clay Humane Society or First Coast No More Homeless Pets. There is also an emergency clinic for after-hours cases.
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The worker who posted the following on Facebook said they cried over the loss of the puppy.
To the person who left this at Clay County Animal Care and Controls gate sometime last night or very early this morning;
I want to let you know I found your approximately 6-week-old brindle (mix breed) puppy with the blue shirt you left this morning. He didn't make it through the night.
I want you to know I cried over the loss of your puppy, even though I never got to show him love or help him.
I want you to know I searched for another 45 minutes this morning our entire area and across the busy highway to check if any littermates were in need of saving.
I want you know that I, as well as my co-workers, come to work every day with a box at our gate as one of our biggest fears.
We fear that what is inside will have suffered, or gotten loose, or gotten attacked by a predator, or suffered some horrible fate that could have been avoided if you would (had) only called us or any of the low-cost veterinary options we are fortunate enough to have in our area.
I want you to know that your puppy didn't have to die. Although you may not have been able or willing to save him, we were.
I want you to know that when you walked away telling yourself that he will better off here you were partially right. He would have been had you come to us when we were open or brought him here when he first got sick.
Instead he died alone and I grieved for him.
I want you to know that abandoning an animal should never be an option. Animal Control, Clay Humane and First Coast No More Homeless Pets are here, in this community, to prevent animals dying alone, abandoned and suffering. You only have to make the trip to one of us when we are open. There is an emergency clinic when we aren't. Don't leave an animal alone in the dark and walk away.
I want you to know too that I don't judge you for this. I want you to know my job here is to educate you, to help you and work together with you for the benefit of animal welfare.
I want you to know that if you ever need help in the future to please come to us when we are open and ask.
To anyone who comments on this post, please keep the comments about resources for pet owners who may need help, condolences for the little guy, who (we) have named Angel, found at our gate this morning and praise for the people on the front lines who continue to have their hearts, and sometimes our spirits, broken by being confronted by abuse and neglect of animal at the hands of humans.