Right. I feel like there was a lack of communication here (just from what I gather - I have not been in this situation myself).

I think that communicating with the shelter staff about what is happening would have helped here. They have probably had folks take advantage of them, and so they’ve got to be on guard constantly.

But communicating about what’s going on and allowing trust to develop and grow is what could have potentially prevented something like this from happening.

Be kind to others and let go of attachments. Have lived a very happy and successful life by doing just those two things.