These huskies were left at a dog park with food, toys – and a note seeking a new home

Animal rescue officials are working to find homes for two young huskies that were left in Woodward Park’s dog park in northwest Fresno earlier this week.

The dogs appear to have been left behind by their owner, who took the unusual steps of leaving behind a container of dog food, several dog toys and a handwritten note.

The note provided the dog’s names – Jada and Layla – and their age, 1 year old. It also included this plea: “Please don’t split us up. Layla gets scared w/o her sister.”

Mona Ahmed, who oversees the dog park, said several people at the park saw someone with the dogs earlier in the day, but the person never returned. The dogs were not micro-chipped or spayed. Ahmed said she has been contacted by someone who she believes is the dog’s owner who said she gave the dogs to someone else.

But the woman could not provide any details of who that person was or how to contact them.

Regardless, Ahmed said there are options for people who can no longer take care of their pet. There are no-kill shelters in Fresno, including Valley Animal Center.

“This is not how you give a dog away, all you have to do is ask for help,” said Ahmed, who also is the founder of Fresno Furry Friends.

If you are interested in adopting the dogs, please contact Ahmed at 559-977-0151.

Amanda Allen, community outreach coordinator for the Fresno Humane Animal Services, said that people abandon dogs for many reasons, but this wasn’t the way to do it.

She offered these tips for people who need to find a home for a pet.

1. Make sure that if you have to place your animals up for adoption you give yourself plenty of time to contact no-kill rescue groups from all over the state.

2. Take good pictures of your pets.

3. Write down all their fun and quirky qualities as well as the truth on what this dog is dealing with, such as anxieties or behavior issues. Rescue groups need to know what they are getting into to best help the dog.

4. A lot of rescue groups have surrender applications online. Make sure if you aren’t internet savvy that you find someone to help.

5. Promote your pups to all your friends and family on social media and enlist their help in finding a great happily-ever-after.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask for more tips from animal shelters and rescue groups about how to keep your pet. If behavioral issues are the reason for giving up your pet, there are tips to curb the bad behavior. The organizations want to help keep pets in their homes when possible.

This story was originally published October 4, 2017 at 5:32 PM with the headline "These huskies were left at a dog park with food, toys – and a note seeking a new home."