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Tiny Starving Puppy Abandoned in a Crate with Heartbreaking Note, Rescued Just in Time

A tiny puppy was abandoned in a crate with no food or water.
A tiny puppy was abandoned in a crate with no food or water. Image by @CravenAnimalProtectiveServices via Facebook.

On a blistering August morning in New Bern, North Carolina, a heartbreaking discovery was made. There, on the side of one of the city’s busiest streets, a small wire crate sat abandoned under the scorching sun. Inside was a tiny, helpless puppy, left with nothing but a crumpled note and an empty food bag.

A Heartbreaking Sight

The note that was left with the puppy in the crate.
The note that was left with the puppy in the crate. Image by @CravenAnimalProtectiveServices via Facebook.

A kind stranger passing by noticed the crate and, filled with dread, approached it. What they found inside was devastating—a 12-week-old puppy, his white-and-tan fur matted with sweat, struggling in the heat. The handwritten note beside him read, “Please take me … I’m a 12-week-old hound. I don’t bite. Take great care of him. He has food with him.”

The reality was crushing. This innocent little pup had been discarded, left in the cruel sun with no food or water. He had likely endured the entire night in that cage, only to face the brutal morning heat with nowhere to hide. His frantic energy was clear—he was desperate to be saved.

A Desperate Rescue

Rescued puppy taken to a shelter.
Rescued puppy taken to a shelter. Image by @CravenCountyAnimalServices via Facebook.

The Good Samaritan knew time was running out. With the sun already beating down, they quickly moved the crate to safety and called New Bern Animal Control. Officer Kevin Bahr arrived and immediately rescued the puppy, who was now named Caerus. Despite all he had endured, Caerus greeted his rescuer with wagging tail and hopeful eyes, unaware of how close he had come to tragedy.

At the Craven-Pamlico Animal Services Center (CPASC), the loving staff embraced him with open arms. Caerus, remarkably, was healthy and full of puppy-like spirit despite his terrifying ordeal. “He’s an absolute sweetheart,” said Dr. Osler from CPASC. “You’d never know he’d been through something so awful.”

A Brighter Future

Puppy rescued from the crate.
Puppy rescued from the crate. Image by @CravenAnimalProtectiveServices via Facebook.

Caerus’ future changed forever that day. A month later, he found a loving forever home, eagerly waiting to join his new family once he’s neutered. His joy and playfulness never faltered, and now, instead of facing the world alone, he’ll have a family to love him for the rest of his life.

Though Caerus was saved, many animals like him are not so lucky. Dr. Osler hopes his story will remind people that abandoning animals is both cruel and illegal. “Abandonment is a crime and carries a penalty of up to $1,000,” she explained. The shelter urges the public to bring pets to them directly, ensuring these innocent creatures don’t suffer in silence.

Thanks to the kindness of a stranger, the dedication of CPASC, and the love of his new family, Caerus has left his darkest days behind. His journey, though heartbreaking, is a reminder of the power of compassion and a second chance.