A Letter to Our Leaders: Please Help Us Stop the Abandonment
Posted by Catalina Obando on
Today, another dog walked into my farm.
Scared, sweet, skinny. Most likely dumped.
And she’s not the first. Far from it.
We now have five abandoned dogs at our farm. Some were adopted. Some were lost. And many more never made it off the road. Redland is a beautiful place, but it’s become known as a dumping ground for unwanted pets. It’s breaking our hearts.
We care deeply. That’s why this hurts so much.
But we cannot do this anymore—not alone.
I run a small farm, I have a full-time job, I manage a business, and I already care for six animals of my own. I take them to the vet, feed them, clean after them, give them love, and even use American Sign Language for commands because one of my dogs is deaf.
But now I’m drowning.
Every time I take a stray to the shelter, I’m treated like I’m giving up my own dog.
But they’re not mine. They’re victims—just like us.
The shelter is always full. 600 dogs. The same number for years. Nothing changes.
The rescues are full. The good ones try, but most only take puppies or purebred dogs.
And still—people are out there selling puppies on Crown Avenue every weekend. No license. No regulation. No one stops them. But I get a fine if my dog’s vaccine is a month late.
What about the people doing the right thing? Where is the help for us?
We’re begging for action:
- A mobile vet program for rural families
- Funding for spay/neuter and vaccinations
- Real consequences for illegal puppy sales
- A coordinated response for dumped animals
- Support for those who already care
We are tired. We are doing our part. We are not the problem.
Please. Help us.
—
Catalina Obando
Spring in a Box, Redland FL
📸 @springinabox
🖼️ The collage of the dogs we’ve helped and the ones still with us:
