Arrie Nelson – Groton, Connecticut

Registry Notice

This entry is based on a report submitted by a co-founder of Change A Life Dog Rescue, the organization that states it originally placed the dog involved in this case.

Public posts from Change A Life Dog Rescue independently confirm that Yodel was adopted in Connecticut, was later found in an Alabama kill shelter, and subsequently returned to Connecticut. The DNA Registry has not independently verified how Yodel became a stray or whether the adopter intentionally abandoned him.

Case Summary

Arrie Nelson of Groton, Connecticut, was identified in a report submitted by Change A Life Dog Rescue concerning a dog named Yodel.

According to the rescue co-founder who submitted the report, Yodel was adopted to Nelson approximately two years before he was unexpectedly located at a shelter in Alabama.

Change A Life Dog Rescue has publicly stated that Yodel was adopted in Connecticut nearly two years earlier and was later found in an Alabama kill shelter. The rescue subsequently arranged for him to return to Connecticut.

Yodel Found in Alabama Shelter

According to the submitted report, the rescue learned through a former shelter volunteer in Texas that Yodel had been located in an Alabama shelter.

The submitter states that shelter personnel advised her that Yodel had not been formally surrendered and had instead entered the shelter as a stray.

Change A Life Dog Rescue later publicly posted about Yodel being found in an Alabama kill shelter and confirmed that he was returned to Connecticut.

Reported Attempts to Contact Adopter

The rescue co-founder states that she attempted to contact Nelson after learning that Yodel had been found.

According to the submission, the phone number on file was disconnected. The submitter states that she also sent an email and a Facebook message but did not receive a response.

The submitter further states that the Facebook message appeared to have been read.

These communication details are based on the rescue co-founder's report and have not been independently verified by the DNA Registry.

Possible Relocation

The submitter states that conversations with references listed on the original adoption application suggested that Nelson may have relocated to another state after adopting Yodel.

The report acknowledges that dogs can escape or become lost and does not establish how Yodel ultimately became a stray in Alabama.

The principal concern described by the rescue is the reported lack of communication after Yodel was located in a shelter far from the location where he had originally been adopted.

Timeline

Supporting Documentation Submitted

Multiple screenshots were submitted to the DNA Registry in connection with this report.

Change A Life Dog Rescue also has publicly available posts documenting that Yodel had previously been adopted in Connecticut, was later found in an Alabama shelter, and returned to Connecticut.

Known Location

Groton, Connecticut

Verification Status

Report submitted by rescue representative: Yes
Yodel previously adopted through Change A Life Dog Rescue: Independently supported by rescue's public posts
Yodel later found in Alabama shelter: Independently supported by rescue's public posts
Yodel returned to Connecticut: Independently supported by rescue's public posts
Entered Alabama shelter as a stray: Reported by submitter
Phone reportedly disconnected: Reported by submitter
Email reportedly unanswered: Reported by submitter
Facebook message reportedly read without response: Reported by submitter
Intentional abandonment independently verified: No
Animal-cruelty charge independently verified: No
Animal-cruelty conviction independently verified: No

Source Documentation

• Change A Life Dog Rescue public post documenting that Yodel was adopted in Connecticut and later found in an Alabama kill shelter.
• Change A Life Dog Rescue public update confirming that Yodel returned to Connecticut.
• Supporting screenshots submitted directly to the DNA Registry by the rescue co-founder.

Animal Placement Due Diligence

A dog entering a shelter as a stray does not, by itself, establish abandonment, neglect, or animal cruelty. Animals can become lost for many reasons.

However, rescues and shelters may reasonably consider prior adoption history, compliance with adoption contracts, microchip information, communication with the original rescue, and an adopter's response when an animal is later recovered as part of future placement decisions.

Important Legal Notice

This entry should not be interpreted as a finding that Arrie Nelson intentionally abandoned Yodel or committed animal cruelty. No such criminal charge, conviction, or official animal control determination was independently located at the time this entry was prepared.

Correction, Response, or Update Request

The DNA Registry welcomes additional documentation concerning Yodel's adoption, microchip history, shelter intake, recovery, or subsequent placement.

If the individual identified in this entry believes information is inaccurate, incomplete, or requires additional context, she may submit a correction or response with supporting documentation for review.

The DNA Registry will update this entry if reliable additional information becomes available.