Luna was dumped at the shelter by her owners on February 24, 2026. Just three-years-old and barely weighing five pounds, she seems to have been swallowed up by a the concrete kennel she frantically tried to escape so she could run back to the family who had already left the Downey Animal Shelter.
She was surrendered in her pink sweater; the only memory she would have of her past.
Shelter volunteer Kelly Marie had been there when Luna was surrendered. The scene was nothing less than heartbreaking:
She stands on her back legs, paws hooked through the kennel door, stretching her fragile little body as far as it will go. Her eyes are wide and frantic, darting down the corridor every time a shadow passes. Her heart is racing so fast you can almost see it through her chest.
Behind the gate, Luna waited for the familiar voice she knew and loved; the voice that used to call her name and the footsteps that once kept her safe.
No more however; now her world is surrounded by metal gates. Dogs bark and howl- equally as desperate to hear and spot the families who also left them behind. The noise at the shelter never stops, and Luna smells the fear, the sadness and the loneliness for a life where memories will be her only solace.
As Kelly posted, Luna …
doesn’t sit. She doesn’t curl up. She doesn’t understand why she is here. Every time someone walks by, hope flashes across her face so suddenly it’s almost unbearable to watch. Her tail gives a small, hopeful twitch. Her eyes search.
Then they pass, and Luna hears the door slam again. When a larger dog pushes loudly against the bars, Luna is terrified, but she still presses closer to the front scared she might miss the moment someone will reappear and make this nightmare go away.
She does not understand the concept “surrendered.” She does know the people she loved walked out without her.
And this is what it looks like a dog is dropped off at a municipal shelter.
Downey, CA
Animal ID #A5757590
L.A. County Animal Care & Control: Downey
My Name is LUNA. I am described as Female, Black Miniature Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier. The shelter thinks I am about 3 years old. I have been at the shelter since February 24, 2026.
Pet WebLink: https://www.petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=LACO.A5757590
For more information about LUNA, contact:
L.A. County Animal Care & Control: Downey
Telephone ‒ (562) 940-6898
11258 South Garfield Avenue
Downey, CA
Fax: (562) 869-1777
http://animalcare.lacounty.gov/
Hours:
Monday – Saturday (11 am – 5 pm)
Closed Sunday* (Open only for drop offs and owners to reclaim)
Closed Holidays
PLEASE NOTE: The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control requires that all adoptions be done in person – and does not accept adoption offers via telephone, or Facebook.
Downey Shelter
11258 Garfield Ave
Downey, CA 90242
