The place is over crowded, she doesn't adopt out when the unspayed cats have kittens or those that could find homes that could care for them. I've worked at a rescue where we have adopted out deaf animals and other quote " unadoptable" animals. The place is filthy, and most shelters and sanctuaries aren't. The dogs owner has a right to keep their animal.

Any dog lost for a week or more is going to lose weight rapidly due to lack of food, and heartworm and parasites are from fleas and mosquitos. The fact the dog is 10 speaks volumes for its true onwer that it is going back to, it wouldn't have reached that age if it wasn't well taken care of. Great danes are lucky if they reach 7 usually.