Given how stressful vet visits can be for our pets, it’s natural to want to coddle our babies every moment. We tend to hold them tighter and get emotional when they do. But not all pet parents operate this way, as you will learn from this heartwrenching tale. The story came to light when Dominique Humphries, a veterinary assistant from Atlanta, Georgia, shared a TikTok video about a puppy whose owner brought him in for an appointment and then vanished for days! The video quickly went viral, leaving many viewers shocked and saddened by the situation.
Humphries explained that she made several attempts to reach the owner of the Pit Bull and Labrador Retriever mix. Each time she managed to get in contact, the owner would assure her they were on their way. Yet, days passed, and no one showed up to claim the sweet puppy. Humphries was bewildered, struggling to understand why someone would abandon their pet in such a manner.
“The owner didn’t want to pick up the dog because they were scared of losing him to a health issue, even though the doctor had already informed them that the dog was fine,” Humphries told Newsweek. “They simply walked out, leaving the dog in the exam room, and we didn’t hear from them again until the next day.”
Despite the confusing situation, the vet office staff made sure to provide the friendly and playful puppy with as much attention and love as possible, spending time with him during their breaks and ensuring he had plenty of playtime. The puppy’s story touched the hearts of many, with countless viewers expressing their concern for the adorable two-month-old dog.
Luckily, a community member saw what was happening and alerted authorities. Their intervention may well have saved multiple animals' lives. Demand authorities ban this person from ever living with or owning animals again!
After three long days, the owner finally came to pick up their puppy. Unfortunately, Humphries was busy with another patient and couldn’t confront the owner. “They came to get the dog on the third day of it being at my clinic, which definitely made me sad because I feel like the patient deserves a better home,” Humphries reflected. “I have not heard from the owner since, and I’m fearful but also don’t want to know if something happened to the dog.”
Although many people expressed that the puppy should not be with an owner who seemed neglectful, Humphries was bound by the veterinary clinic’s protocols, which required her to care for the dog until the owner retrieved him. “I wish there was more that I could’ve done for him,” she said, “but I have to follow the hospital’s protocols. I hope he’s doing great, but if I do have an update later on, I will keep everyone posted.”
All animals deserve to feel safe and loved and this story has left us shaken. Vets and their staff work tirelessly to take care of our animals’ medical needs. Their offices are not daycares or shelters. It is never okay to leave a pet behind for any reason. What would you have done in this situation? What were Humphries’ options? Please let us know your thoughts in our comment section.
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