Andre, the pit bull and boxer mix, was rescued and rehomed thanks to Fulton County Animal Services and his community
Tara Borelli says that when she saw a Facebook post about an abandoned dog left near a popular Atlanta park, she knew she couldn’t ignore it.
“I saw this plea for help. Andre had been found tied up in a yard near Piedmont Park with a note pinned to his collar. I think his owner left him there for maximum visibility, hoping that someone would see him and take him to safety,” Borelli tells PEOPLE.
The incident happened in late January after snow started falling in Atlanta. Forecasters warned people to stay off the roads, but Borelli, a nonprofit attorney, says she couldn’t sit at home thinking about Andre.
Before Borelli learned about Andre, the boxer, pit bull mix had been temporarily taken in by a couple, who unfortunately couldn’t keep the five-year-old canine permanently. The couple posted the picture of Andre that Borelli saw, which included the dog with the note his former owner left pinned to his collar, looking for help.
The note read, “My dad is facing homelessness and has no one to take me. I am a really good dog. My dad’s heart is broken, and no shelter will take me. Please treat Andre with love and kindness.”
Borelli says she got into her car and drove the ten-mile stretch to fetch Andre, knowing it wouldn’t be an easy ride.
“The storm was starting to get pretty bad, and I lost traction a couple of times and wasn’t sure I would make it, but with perseverance and some grit, I finally got there,” she says.
After retrieving Andre, Borelli had to make the more arduous journey back home. She bundled Andre into her car and began the return drive.
“At this point, there were very few cars on the road. I lost traction a few times and got into a minor accident, bumping a car briefly. Then I got to a street where I thought we would have to spend the night huddling together in the backseat because it seemed impassable, but three angels appeared out of nowhere,” the animal lover remembers.
According to Borelli, the three Good Samaritans were an Atlanta police officer and two other men who were helping to push cars stuck in the severe weather.
“With their help, I made it to a main road and got us home,” Borelli says.
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Borelli cared for Andre for months, knowing she couldn’t keep him permanently because her own dog had health issues. Even though Andre was “amazing” to care for, in April, Borelli made the difficult choice to move the dog into a shelter so he could be adopted into a forever home.
“We were heartbroken, but we had to bring him to the shelter so that he could find a permanent home,” Borelli explains.
Borelli brought Andre to a Fulton County Animal Services shelter, where she and the dog were greeted by shelter volunteer Laura Hsiao, who had seen the initial January Facebook post about Andre’s abandonment and followed his story.
“Andre was in a unique situation because he had that note taped to him, so his owners gave him a little voice by explaining the situation, and the community could keep that going, spreading the word on social media and elsewhere,” Hsiao tells PEOPLE, adding “Andre’s former owner was in a really tricky situation, and they were doing the only thing they could possibly do to keep him safe, and I think a lot of people connected to the story.”
Thanks to community support and Andre’s sweet demeanor, the dog went home with an Atlanta family in early May. The family plans to foster Andre for a month to ensure the situation is a good fit for everyone. If it is, Andre will be officially adopted.
Borelli is beyond grateful to see Andre get his well-deserved second chance.
“I’m relieved but so sad and worried for the next wave of dogs. Each week, so many dogs come in, and I hope the community feels as invested as possible to help these dogs get into loving homes,” Borelli says.
She hopes Andre’s story will bring attention to the many other animals who need assistance and compassion. Hsaio agrees.
“For every heartbreaking story that comes to light, there are 10 more that never get told,” the volunteer says.
Hsaio adds that Andre has already had an impact on other dogs. After reading Andre’s story, numerous people visited the Fulton County Animal Services shelter where he stayed, and five people adopted dogs because of the once-abandoned pet.
“It has taken so many people to get Andre on his path. I met his new parents, and they seem like a great match. I think it’s great. All the dogs deserve this happily ever after.” Hsaio says.
