Dog's Microchip Connects Shelter to Home Far Away—But a Cruel Twist Awaits
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
When a dog named Baby Bear arrived at a West Virginia shelter earlier this summer, staff followed routine intake procedures and scanned his microchip. What they discovered has broken hearts among social-media users.
In a post shared on Facebook on August 7 by the SPCA Florida, the shelter says that the microchip didn't link to a local owner—but instead traced back to SPCA Florida, a no-kill shelter in Lakeland.
"Baby Bear was once adopted from SPCA Florida. But somehow … he ended up hundreds of miles away, in West Virginia, where he was turned into a shelter there—the team scanned his microchip, hoping to find his family. They called … but got no response," the post adds.
"So the shelter called us, we knew we had to act fast—because, unlike SPCA Florida, that shelter didn't have a no-kill policy. Time was running out."
From left: Baby Bear waits at the airfield next to a private plane; and stands with a volunteer sat on the floor.
From left: Baby Bear waits at the airfield next to a private plane; and stands with a volunteer sat on the floor.
SPCA Florida
With almost no time left for Baby Bear, a hero pilot stepped in to help, donating his "time and wings" to save his life.
Randa Richter, SPCA Florida humane programs and public media director, in Lakeland, Florida, told Newsweek that Baby Bear was once adopted from their shelter in 2022, and the staff still don't know how he arrived in West Virginia.
"The shelter in West Virginia he was dumped at tried reaching out to the adopter that was listed on the microchip, as well as we tried reaching out to them; no answer or response from them. The shelter he was at reached out to us, since he was originally adopted from us," Richter said.
"Of course, we will always take our animals back. I reached out to our supporters and animal lovers, Mark and Donna, who have flown many animals for us over the years. In fact, almost 500 animals they have transported for us."
After explaining Baby Bear's situation to Mark and Donna, and asking if they could fly him to Florida on their private plane, they agreed, and the dog flew without fear or hesitation. Now the 10-year-old, laid-back, "gentle soul" is relaxing at the no-kill shelter, and ready for his "furever home."
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 5,100 views and 125 comments.
One user, Valerie Barcellona, commented: "Someone adopt this beautiful boy, he needs someone to love, he has a sad story that needs to be turned into joy, fun and treats."
Audrey Stager Stansbury added: "Thank you to the pilots who are the lifesaving link, and to Florida SPCA for standing by your pets."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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