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It’s always heartbreaking when someone abandons a dog, but thankfully there are also people out there willing to give these pets the love and care they need, and make sure they find a new home.
That was the case recently, after one dog who was abandoned at an airport was adopted by an airline pilot.
According to a press release from the San Francisco SPCA, the dog, now named Polaris, was abandoned at San Francisco International Airport in the Fall. The dog’s owner reportedly arrived from an international destination and “chose to continue traveling on without his animal.”
Poor Polaris was left all alone — but he was in good hands, thanks to a partnership between the SPCA and United Airlines.
“United’s Customer Service team took on quite a challenge to ensure Polaris would be safe, healthy, and find a loving home,” said Lisa Feder, SF SPCA Chief of Rescue and Welfare in the press release.
Polaris had to undergo a quarantine period before entering the United States, but United employees worked to make sure all his paperwork was in order.
“From the moment Polaris landed in our care, our entire SFO United team cared for him 24/7 until we were able to get permission to keep him safely in the U.S.,” said Vincent Passafiume, Director of Customer Service at United.
Thankfully, Polaris’ story now has a happy ending. In a fitting end to the story, the dog was adopted by a United Airlines pilot, Captain William Dale.
“It’s a great feeling to see this story come full circle and that Polaris will have a loving home with United Airlines Captain Dale and his family—just in time for the holidays,” Passafiume said.
To celebrate the good news, United held a party at SFO, and also donated $5,000 to the SF SPCA.
“We were honored that United called the SF SPCA to facilitate this adoption because of our knowledge and expertise in adoptions, as well as nearly 155 years of offering care and protection to pets,” Feder said. “We’re grateful that we can celebrate with them today, and for their $5,000 donation that will help to save lives year-round.”
It’s unbelievable to think that anyone would abandon their dog at an airport like that, but it does happen: recently a different dog was left tied up outside an airport in Iowa, but thankfully he will soon be put up for adoption.
We’re so glad Polaris found a new home! A very happy ending ❤️✈️
Please share this great news!
