As staff members at the RSPCA Woodside Animal Center arrived at work on Wednesday morning, they were shocked when they were immediately greeted by a dog tied to the front gate. No one knew how long she’d been there for — and as soon as she saw them, it was clear that she’d been anxiously waiting for someone to find her.

“She was stood with her head pushed through the bars of the gate, her ears back with these big, brown puppy dog eyes,” a spokeswoman from the RSPCA Woodside Animal Center said in a press release.

The sweet dog, later named Misty, was so skinny that her ribs were clearly visible, and she was also suffering from a skin condition and some cuts on her nose. She’d clearly had a rough life, and everyone at the shelter was so glad she was finally somewhere safe where she can get the care she needs.

“She must be so confused and disorientated,” the spokeswoman said.

After checking her over, the shelter discovered that Misty was microchipped, but after reaching out to the number listed on the chip, they found out she’d been rehomed several years ago before somehow ending up abandoned outside the shelter.

Even though Misty is now safe and sound, anything could have happened to her while she was left all alone tied up outside the shelter. Abandoning an animal, even if it is right outside a shelter, is never the answer, and the RSPCA is hoping to try and find out where Misty came from.

“We’re now hoping the public may be able to help with our investigation,” Karl Marston, an inspector with the RSPCA, said in a press release.

In the meantime, Misty is relaxing and recovering from her ordeal at the shelter, and once she’s ready, she’ll go on to find the best forever home where she’ll never have to worry about being abandoned again.