Quacker Box

On October 27, 2022, we closed on our house and moved to a small town in Texas—Cleveland, to be exact. We were looking for a place that would allow us to keep our five dogs (including several of a restricted breed) and a spot where we could use our RV. However, after moving in, we were confronted with deeds and restrictions not disclosed to us before closing the house. 

To make a long story short, the area we moved to permits only two dogs and disallows the use of RVs. Our realtor, who was aware of our needs, kept telling us not to worry because there was no HOA or POA in the neighborhood. It is incredibly upsetting to realize that we were already violating these restrictions without our knowledge when we signed our closing documents.

Shortly after moving in, we realized our neighborhood was essentially a drop zone for unwanted pets. Many dogs here are severely malnourished and neglected. At the time, we didn't have a fence, so many of these dogs would come into our yard, likely attracted by the presence of our dogs and the food and water we provided. As a result, more and more stray dogs started to show up, and we found ourselves constantly refilling our dogs' food bowls.

We have taken in several stray dogs, but unfortunately, we've also lost several to illnesses or even poisoning. The problem persists and seems to be worsening with each passing day. My family has taken it upon ourselves to care for the stray dogs in our area, covering all costs for their food, medication, toys, and medical bills out of our own pocket.