It was a scorching August morning in New Bern, North Carolina, when a resident spotted something concerning on one of the city’s busiest streets. Just off the shoulder of Hotel Drive sat a black wired crate — and someone seemed to be trapped inside.

When the Good Samaritan walked over to investigate the crate, they were shocked to find a white-and-tan puppy inside, left with nothing but an empty bag of food and a handwritten note from his previous family.

“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 note, later posted in a Craven County Sheriff’s Office — Animal Protective Services (CCSOAPS) Facebook post, read.

Facebook/Craven County Sheriff’s Office — Animal Protective Services

The pup, later named Caerus, excitedly bounced around his crate as the Good Samaritan approached him. After seemingly spending the night in his crate, he was even more distressed now that the sun had risen.

Thankfully, the Good Samaritan found him just in time.

“The citizen stated that he was in direct sun, so they moved him out of the sun,” Craven-Pamlico Animal Services Center’s (CPASC) Dr. Osler told The Dodo.

Facebook/Craven County Sheriff’s Office — Animal Protective Services

The Good Samaritan called New Bern Animal Control, and officer Kevin Bahr soon arrived to pick Caerus up. Officer Bahr drove Caerus to CPASC, where the loving staff welcomed him with open arms.

Caerus passed his medical exams with flying colors and, thankfully, wasn’t seriously ill or injured after being abandoned. Despite everything he’d been through, the adorable boy’s puppy-like spirit blossomed in CPASC’s care.

“He is an absolute sweetheart of a puppy,” Dr. Osler said. “He loves to play and cuddle.”

Facebook/Craven County Sheriff’s Office — Animal Protective Services

A month after his rescue, Caerus has officially found his perfect forever home and is just waiting to be neutered before heading off to his happily-ever-after. As much as they love having him around, Caerus’ friends at CPASC are overjoyed for the sweet boy.

While they couldn’t find Caerus’ previous family, CPASC hopes his story will encourage the public to bring their pets straight to the shelter instead of abandoning them.

“We have had a recent increase in abandonment at our shelter, both onsite and offsite,” Dr. Osler said. “We ask that people bring animals in for surrender during our opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. [to] 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. [to] 3 p.m. If it is out of hours, Animal Control is always available and on call for emergency pick-up.”

You can see CCSOAPS’ Facebook post about Caerus’s rescue here:

The shelter also wants to remind the public that abandoning pets the way Caerus was left behind could have severe consequences for both the animal and his human.

“Abandonment is a crime and carries a penalty of up to $1000,” Dr. Osler said. “We have not recently pressed charges for abandonment because we are happy that the animals are safe with us, but we ask that people respect the law and allow us to get information on the animal to find out how to best place them in a new home.”

While Caerus had a heartwrenching first year, he’s now off to live his very best life with a family who will love him forever.

Thanks to the attentive Samaritan, CPASC’s dedicated team, and a family who was willing to adopt from their local shelter, Caerus’ worst days are behind him.

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Source: Tampa Bay Times