Woody’s Story
Sometimes “we’re full” doesn’t mean the need goes away.
Woody had been with his person since he was a puppy.
For about two years, they lived out of a car together.
His person was experiencing homelessness and trying to work through services in Bartow County. Eventually, he needed help finding somewhere safe for Woody to stay.
He came to us.
We were full.
At the time, I already had several foster dogs in my home. Our foster network was stretched, and taking in an 80-pound Shepherd mix wasn’t something we had the capacity to do.
We told him we couldn’t take Woody.
Then we discovered Woody tied to our neighbor’s porch.
His owner had deliberately avoided our cameras by leaving Woody next door.
He knew we would find him.
And we did.
So What Do You Do?
Woody was there. He was safe with us now. And whatever frustration we had about the situation didn’t change the fact that Woody needed somewhere to go.
So we made room.
Woody was a good boy. But adding an 80-pound dog to an already stressed foster system was a real commitment.
Another foster placement.
Another mouth to feed.
Another set of veterinary needs.
Another dog who needed time, attention, exercise, structure and care.
We absorbed it anyway.
Eventually, Woody found a wonderful family and a new home.
But Woody’s Story Isn’t Really About One Dog.
It’s about what happens when a community has nowhere else to turn.
People experiencing homelessness can love their pets deeply. They may have had that pet for years. They may be trying to get their lives back on track and simply need somewhere safe for their animal to go temporarily.
And sometimes there isn’t anywhere.
So the crisis lands on whoever happens to be willing to answer the phone.
For us, that has often meant our foster families.
That’s not a sustainable community solution.
It’s why we’re working toward a future where Bartow County has resources specifically designed for situations like Woody’s.
Because sometimes “we’re full” doesn’t mean the need goes away.
It just means someone has to figure out what happens next.