'Loved and cherished' dog abandoned with note

Buddy left in cage at unoccupied building

A dog named Buddy was abandoned in Illinois, left with nothing but a "too small" cage and a note saying he was "loved and cherished."

A volunteer dog walker recently found him at an unoccupied building that is under construction and will be the new Henry County Humane Society - Geneseo. The building is across the street from the current humane society building. 

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"It is so hard to see a pet abandoned like Buddy was," the humane society said on its Facebook page. "The suffering we see every day is heartbreaking. Put yourself in our place when we saw Buddy crammed in a too small cage. Looking at us wondering why he was being punished this way."

The note that was left with Buddy said, “Hi, my name is Buddy. I have all my shots. I took flea medication today. I have outgrown the apartment I live in and need a new home with a big yard to run in and am amazing with children. It is very hard for me to leave a home where I am very loved and cherished, but I hope I can bring joy to my new family.”

Buddy, who is thought to be a labradoodle, has become a sort of "spokesperson for homeless pets," the humane society said.

After his story was reported by Geneseo Republic and widely circulated on social media, applications poured in from people who want to adopt the pup. 

Shelter manager Tracy Diehl told the newspaper that she isn't sure of the dog's age or medical history. 

“When they abandoned him, they did Buddy a huge injustice," she told the newspaper. "He was crammed into a little cage and scared to death.”

It’s illegal to abandon an animal in both Geneseo and Illinois, but pet owners do have options to legally surrender an animal. 

The humane society said it encourages people to reach out if they end up in a situation like that of Buddy's previous owners.

"We just want people to be more compassionate," the humane society said. "Ask for help if they find themselves in a bind."

Diehl said the humane society is setting up a fund called "Buddy's Play Pen" to raise money to finish construction of the outside yard at its new location.