A man simply left his puppy at the San Francisco airport because he found too much paperwork. United pilot shows heart.
Adopting an animal and giving it a new home is a commendable thing. However, it’s a whole different matter if you don’t think ahead, don’t get enough information, or are a little naive about dog ownership. Because most of the time it doesn’t work out as intended and the victims who ultimately have to bear the brunt of it are the animals. The Polaris German Shepherd mix is one such case. His story is very moving. Because when his master fails to produce the necessary documents, he simply abandons him to his fate and the puppy has to endure a four-month ordeal.
Puppy abandoned at the airport: the pilot adopts him
The crash occurred in the summer of 2022 at San Francisco International Airport. A passenger from China has a stopover and wants to continue on to New York. At his side: the Polaris crossbreed puppy. In order to enter the country with your four-legged friend, you must present the necessary documents (e.g. anti-rabies vaccination) to the customs. Because the East Asian state is one of the high risk areas for rabies. Since he can’t do it, the US authorities refuse Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Puppy abandoned at the airport – Polaris left to its own devices
Instead of looking for a solution and dealing with the necessary paperwork, the alleged owner simply travels without the puppy. Polaris remains alone at the airport. And the suffering for the dog begins. But the airline is fighting for him. “He was part of our responsibility,” says Vincent Passafiume, director of customer service at United.
Authorities suggest sending the puppy back to China. But airline employees want to prevent this and explain on Twitter: “He would be put to sleep after his return to China.” They are trying to find another way. Together they can do it Center for Disease Control and Prevention changes his mind. The agency gives Polaris a grace period but orders a four-month quarantine.
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Puppy abandoned at the airport and becomes a celebrity
“During the quarantine, Polaris had to live on the premises of the airport. A bit like in the movie ‘The Terminal’”. And again: “We set up a temporary home for him in an office at the airport. With a doghouse, a kennel, toys, treats and ’24-hour babysitting,'” says Passafiume. “More than 50 employees have visited,” he says. “He’s become something of a minor celebrity at the airport. ”
As Polaris bravely serves his quarantine period, United employees try to find him a permanent home and contact the local animal welfare organization SPCA extension. They’re having some kind of adoption party. Among the nominees: the United driver Dale. The animal-loving man has been with the airline for about seven years and only recently moved to San Francisco with his family: “I found his story just amazing and I fell in love with him immediately,” he says. .
And Polaris has finally found a loving new forever home. Even though the customer service manager Passafiume admitted in a subsequent Twitter post, “I’m going to miss him terribly,” he’s still incredibly happy that things are working out right now.
