It's definitely not what a pet owner wants to do.
Julie Mainardi had to give up her puppy because she couldn't afford emergency medical treatment.
She brought Marley to the DMV, one of the only emergency vet clinics open during the holidays.
The dog was diagnosed with a highly contagious disease affecting intenstines.
Mainardi said she was told the treatment would cost upwards of $7,500, so she left it there, and it would eventually be put up for adoption.
"It’s difficult because often in these situations they’ve legally transferred ownership over to the hospital or the rescue agency, or wherever they are doing that – so there is no legall ground, typically, to get that dog or cat back," said Dr. Enid Stiles, a veterinarian at Sherwood Park Animal Hospital, who spoke with CTV.
Mainardi added she hopes the SPCA and the clinic will work with her so the dog can be returned.
- With files from CTV