MORRISVILLE, Pa. (CBS) — Morrisville County Police posted photos on the department’s Facebook page Saturday after six dogs were abandoned and left inside the fence of the Morrisville Dog Park.

“It looked like they had been abandoned. They weren’t on a leash and didn’t have any identification,” said Arta Szathmary, who takes her dog Louie to the dog park every day.

Szathmary discovered the six stray dogs and said they appeared healthy and friendly.

“It’s a shame that someone would leave animals behind for all of us who come to the dog park. These are parts of our family and we can’t leave them anywhere,” Szathmary said.

According to police, the person who abandoned the dogs also taped a note to the park’s sign saying the dogs were rescued from a woman who had too many dogs and ran out of food. The note also said the person had brought the animals to their apartment, but dogs were not allowed there and thought the park was the safest place to put them.

“It’s sad because there are so many questions about it,” said Sarah Barnett, executive director of ACCT Philly, a homeless shelter in North Philadelphia.

Barnett said many animal shelters throughout the Delaware Valley are seeing a growing number of animals being abandoned for a variety of reasons, but often because of the cost of caring for an animal. Barnett advised not waiting until there is a crisis, but contacting your local rescue, animal shelter or police department for resources to help keep the pet in your home.

“If you’re struggling a little bit now, now is the time to get help,” Barnett said. “The more time you can give an organization to help you, the more likely they are to be successful in helping you.”

Morrisville police told CBS News Philadelphia that three dogs left at the dog park were adopted locally and the other three were taken to the Bucks County SPCA in New Hope.

“I hope they find a forever home where they can spend their final years safe and happy,” said Szathmary.