A Tennessee animal shelter reunited an abandoned dog with her homeless owner after the fluffy companion was left with a heart-wrenching note that explained she didn’t have the means to take care of her.

Lilo was found walking around Chattanooga earlier this week with a note attached to her collar before ending up at the McKamey Animal Center with the help of a good Samaritan.

The note read: ‘My name is Lilo. Please love me. My mom can’t keep me and is homeless with two kids. She tried her best but she can’t get help. I cost too much for her. She really loves me and I’m a great dog and loved to be loved on. Please don’t abuse me.’

Shelter employees immediately wrote a now viral public letter to the dog’s owner on Facebook titled ‘A note to Lilo’s mom,’ begging her to reunite with pup in exchange for a ‘safe haven.’

A heartwarming photo later showed Lilo and her unidentified owner embracing upon being reunited.

A Tennessee animal shelter reunited an abandoned dog named Lilo with her homeless owner. Pictured: the dog Lilo and her unidentified owner

Lilo was found in Tennessee wandering the streets with a note attached to her collar that read: ‘Please love me’

The letter to Lilo’s mom posted by the animal shelter garnered more than 3,000 shares, nearly 1,000 comments and 5,000 reactions.

‘We are so sorry that you had to make the decision to leave her behind,’ the letter read. ‘We know many folks are struggling to care for their pets right now. We know how hard it must be to give up an animal you so clearly loved because you can’t provide the care she needs. We understand.’

The public’s help ultimately led to the family reconnecting nearly a day later. The shelter posted a photo of the two while pledging to help the family stick together.

‘While we can’t share a lot of the details with you yet, we are actively working with the family to set them up with a safe haven, shelter, and resources to stay together and tackle homelessness.’

‘But if you are reading this, we hope you will come forward to reclaim her. We will help you with whatever you need to care for her, to the best of our ability. Lilo definitely misses you, and we would like nothing more than to see her go back to the family she loves.’

The note read the owner couldn’t afford to care for the pup anymore and she needed a new home

The pup was sent to the McKamey Animal Center (above) where employees sought to return Lilo to her owner

Social media users who followed Lilo’s story closely were in awe of the shelters outreach to help the family and demonstration of ‘love and compassion.’

‘I’m so incredibly happy and relieved to see this update,’ one person wrote. ‘Though surely there are challenges still to overcome, their hearts are whole once again. I’ll continue to watch for updates to see how we can support this family.’

‘Wonderful news!! How can I help? I said I would provide food for several months (what brand ?) what about donations for the family?’ another added.

Many expressed their desire to help the family while others were eager to help the dog owner care for her kids.

‘I would like to help this family also,’ one person wrote. ‘I have clothes/shoes/blankets/food etc if I knew what ages the children are and sizes.’

Source: dailymail.co.uk