A 3-month-old puppy was found abandoned in a bathroom at the Las Vegas airport with a handwritten note that explained the heartbreaking reason why and shedding light on the effects of domestic violence on pets.
“Hi! I’m Chewy! My owner was in an abusive relationship and couldn’t afford me to get on the flight,” reads the note. “She didn’t want to leave me with all her heart, but she has no other option. My ex-boyfriend kicked my dog when we were fighting and he has a big knot on his head. He probably needs a vet. I love Chewy sooo much – please love and take care of him.”
A traveler found Chewy in the bathroom and the dog was brought to the local dog rescue, Connor & Millie’s Dog Rescue (CMDR). Although the note indicates Chewy may have sustained a head injury, the tiny Chihuahua appears to be happy and healthy and he has garnered world-wide attention.
As soon as news broke of Chewy’s rescue, Connor and Millie’s Dog Rescue CMDR was flooded with applications to adopt him. They got so many, the’ve asked for a hold on any more applications, but encourage people to adopt another shelter pet on behalf of Chewy.
Connor and Millie’s Dog Rescue CMDR
“There has been tremendous interest in little Chewy!!! We are compiling all the interest forms and will be going through them all. CMDR would like to say thank you for all the offers of a loving home,” the rescue wrote in a recent Facebook post. “However, there is but 1 Chewy and he can go but to 1 home. Please consider the hundreds if not thousands of ‘Chewys’ loaded with love that are desperately seeking homes in shelters which are at max capacity, rescues are full!”
Connor and Millie’s Dog Rescue CMDR
Sadly, Chewy’s circumstance is not unique, as many pets are affected by domestic violence. More often than not, animals are used and abused as pawns as a means to hurt someone else and emotionally blackmail them. And victims are often are reluctant to leave the abuser if they have no-where to bring their pets, as most outreach shelters do not allow animals.
Seven out of every 10 women in the United States say they are unable to escape abusive relationships in part because the abuser threatens to harm the family pet. Two out of five women say they don’t leave because they worry about what will happen to their dog.
This is slowly changing, as an increasing number of shelters and outreaches are allowing pets. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has information for helping individuals or families looking for a safe haven that allows pets.
Nelson and Connor & Millie’s Dog Rescue hopes that Chewy’s story will help individuals realize there could be positive options out there for them and their dogs and they can ask for help.
Share Chewy’s story with your friends and family.
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