Should I feel bad?
 

Ok...so Friday this little pekingese shows up at my door step...covered in urine and dirt and a bath was pointless due to all the mats. No tags/collar...so I took him to a vet and had him scanned for a microchip - nothing. So I had no choice but to take him to the shelter. The shelter informed me of their two strike policy. If a dog comes in twice then they will not release it to the owners but put it up for adoption (yay for military post shelters right?)

Well, today the little guy shows up again. This time there is a collar but once again no tag. He's just as filthy and matted. Since I know he will go up for adoption the second he hits the shelter I'm already planning on adopting him. But now I'm getting crap from some people.

What about his family? What about the kids that love him? Well, my thought is, if he had tags on his collar I wouldn't have to take him to the shelter and with one little phone call he'd be returned.

Am I wrong for being happy that I can now adopt this little guy?

I don't think you are wrong. The owners obviously are not responsible considering the poor dog was out running loose twice in 3 days and he is covered in his own waste. That dog is being neglected and needs a good owner like you to care for him. He will be so much better off in your hands so I actually believe you are doing the right thing for him. If the owners cared, they would not have let him get in that kind of shape...

Yuck. I hate when that happens to dogs. I say you're doing the right thing. It would be wrong to give him back to people that neglect him. I'm sure he'd LOVE a good shave-down, bath, probably a nail trim, and a secure home.

I think your doing a good thing personally. Anyone else would probably just dump the dog off at the shelter, you at least want to adopt it. If the owners truly cared there would at least be tags and/or a microchip if by chance the dog is an escape artist. Otherwise they dont deserve the dog nor are responsible enough to own a dog if it keeps getting loose and theres no way to return the dog. Your doing a good thing by adopting to the dog since it may not be adopted otherwise if its just dumped off at the shelter.
I say good for you and go for it, you shouldnt feel any guilt for rescuing a dog from a shelter because he has/had irresponsible owners

Have you approached the owner's command regarding the neglect of their dog? Normally the powers that be don't like hearing about their people being shitbags. Maybe they can talk some sense into them before you do anything.

Wait. So you didn't leave him at the shelter the first time? If so he escaped from the SHELTER and showed up w/you again? If not where did you leave him after the first attempt at taking to shelter?

If your in the US, the Dog is considered "Property" I would check with the Shelter if YOU can be the one to adopt if they have that policy, then you will have adoption papers.

Even abusive owners may want their dog back, it could get nasty, and go to court. If you do it through the shelter, I believe they lose their rights to the Dog.

HOWEVER the laws are different in every state, CHECK whats the law regarding this in your state, before you potentially break one not knowing.

OH OK I think I get it; you left him at the shelter the first time and then (presumably) the owner came and got him but then he showed up at your door again, right?

Then def. return him to the shelter but they will decide from there; they know who the owner is (obviously) and they are best suited to decide whether dog goes back to owner or up for adoption.

I think your doing a great thing for the dog. Now he'll have a chance at a great life.