Some of these pets were abandoned but not as much as they think I wonder. Often before a natural disaster pets will disappear because they know it’s coming. Then they try to come home after what ever is going to happen has happened. Then these people find them and take them to shelters.
Remember last year when West Virginia was flooded? My pets acted very strange that day. All of them wanted to come inside and were crying something terrible until I brought them in. They did not calm down until they were with me and even then the cats hid under the bed and the dog never left my side. Had never seen them act this way before or since.
Stories like this make me think it’s good to have pets chipped. Our cats never go outside and can’t get loose; but I’d certainly do it if I had a dog.