Chicago woman goes to PetSmart. Then she sees someone abandoned a puppy and left it in a shopping cart: ‘I hope the store has good cameras’
We all know the feeling you have in your chest when you see a puppy out in public that is eagerly waiting for your attention, overflowing with affection, almost commanding you to come over and give it pets. You glance up at the owner to see if it’s OK that you give it the attention it deserves. But what do you do when the owner is nowhere to be found?
That is what happened at a local PetSmart in Chicago. A shopper, Lupita (@lupita.elsa), found a puppy allegedly abandoned in a shopping cart with the owner nowhere in sight. When asked about the moment, Lupita told The Mary Sue that she found Artemis.
She said, “When I found her abandoned in the cart, my first priority was making sure she was safe. I looked around the area to see if she belonged to anyone or if anyone nearby knew anything, but it was obvious she had been left there.”
Pup is rescued from PetSmart
All of us can imagine what this moment might feel like. We must know what to do in a situation like this to ensure that these pets are properly cared for.
She was quickly fostered through an organization called the Chicago Rescue Authority (@chicagorescueauthority). Elisa and her partner, Casey, who regularly foster dogs, rescued the pup.
Casey said, “We usually foster either pitties or German Shepherds so they brought us a dog that looked like both!”
There is no shortage of compassionate caregivers who open their homes to these animals. They deserve a second chance at a loving home.
Elisa said, “After meeting Artemis, we knew we couldn’t leave without her. She has so much spirit and personality. We’re so grateful that we can be that soft place to land for her, getting out of the hectic shelter environment, and giving her a chance to see what it’s like to be in a home and be a pet until we can find her a perfect forever home.”
How many pets are surrendered?
In July alone, a total of 1,842 dogs and cats were surrendered into the foster system in Chicago for an average of 59 animals per day (Source: NBC Chicago). On a broader level, nearly 5.8 million animals across the US entered shelters in 2025, according to the World Animal Foundation.
Thankfully, there is an abundance of support for these animals, both on the ground and online. It is incomprehensible for a lot of us to imagine a circumstance where we could turn our backs and walk away from a loving animal like Artemis. However, whether the cause is financial hardship or an inability to properly care for the animal, we’re grateful that systems exist to step in. They offer pets safety, stability, and a second chance at the life they deserve.
@lupita.elsa Heartbreaking Surprise at PetSmart ? Went to PetSmart to snap pics of adoptable cats, but my heart broke instead. I found a sweet puppy sitting alone, so smelly but so loving—she wagged her tail the moment she saw me. Staff searched for her owner and scanned for a microchip—nothing. Pets aren’t disposable. Please don’t abandon them. ? #ForeverHomeNeeded #chicagoanimalcareandcontrol #abandonedog #CACC ♬ original sound – Jelly's Feline Friends
What do you do if you find an abandoned pet?
First, you want to assess the situation. Is the owner around? In this case, the puppy was in a shopping cart, alone. It had its feet up on the handle and tail wagging. It is quite apparent that this is a loving and social animal. But this isn’t always the case with animals you may come across. It is important that you approach the majority of them carefully in order not to spook them.
Secondly, if there isn’t any owner information on the collar, reach out or take the animal to a local animal shelter, animal control agency, or veterinary hospital. As they can help check for any form of identification or microchips.
The puppy is currently being fostered with Elisa and Casey while it waits for a permanent, loving home. If you’re in or near the Chicago area and feel called to support, consider reaching out to the Chicago Rescue Authority to learn how you can help.
Lupita said, “I’m incredibly grateful that the Chicago Rescue Authority stepped in and pulled her from CACC. Organizations like theirs are so important because they give dogs like her a second chance at life. Not every dog gets noticed, and rescues help the ones that might otherwise be forgotten.”
She goes on to say, “I hope this encourages people to consider fostering. Fostering truly saves lives and gives these animals a chance to feel safe, loved, and cared for while they wait for their forever home. Even opening your home temporarily can make all the difference for a dog that just needs someone to believe in them.”
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