A DOG who touched the hearts of millions after being left at a train station with a suitcase full of his belongings has found a new home thanks to the Scottish SPCA.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity rescued Kai, a shar-pei crossbreed, when he was found tied to a railing at Ayr Railway Station in early January.
Ian Russell, 52, from Newton Mearns in East Renfrewshire, was selected out of hundreds of people to give Kai a new home and left the charity’s Glasgow Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre with him today.
Ian, a self-employed hydraulic engineer, said, “It feels like fate that I’ve been able to rehome Kai and I’m not usually a believer in things like that. I’m over the moon and very shocked that I was chosen out of everyone who wanted him.
“My Dalmatian named Mica passed away just before Christmas and I was left heartbroken. I had her for 15 years and she was the apple of my eye. We pretty much spent 24 hours a day together.
“When I heard about Kai I knew the little guy needed a break but I never thought in a million years I’d get him. I called the Scottish SPCA just to check he was okay and see if there was anything I could do to help. Fast forward a few weeks and here I am taking him home. I honestly think it was meant to be.
“I work all over Scotland, mainly outdoors, driving wherever I’m needed in my van. Kai will come with me and when it’s appropriate I’ll let him out to run around and play safely while I work. Then we’ll jump back into the van together and head to the next place. We’ll be able to hang out all the time.
“Being the one to rehome Kai is a bit like winning the lottery and I’m really looking forward to getting him home and bonding with him.
“I also want to highlight the fact there are lots of other animals like Kai whose stories haven’t been told. I really hope some of the people who offered Kai a home will consider helping one of the many other rescue pets in the Scottish SPCA’s care.”
Scottish SPCA senior animal care assistant Alan Grant said, “We were overwhelmed by offers of new homes for Kai from places as far away as New York, Los Angeles, France, Spain and even the Philippines.
“Kai’s story was really sad and many people likened him to Paddington Bear given he was found alone at a railway station with his suitcase.
“One of the reasons we chose Ian was right from the start he said he was interested in rehoming Kai but he would take our advice if we thought one of the many other dogs in our care would suit him better.
“It was really important for us to select an owner who wanted Kai for all the right reasons and had really thought through their decision to take on a rescue dog.
“We know Kai will have a fantastic new life with Ian and we couldn’t be happier for him.
“This is a great opportunity for us to remind people that we have hundreds of other animals in our care just like Kai who all need new homes.
“Anyone thinking of taking on a pet is welcome to visit our rescue and rehoming centres to meet our fantastic animals for themselves.”
Scottish SPCA inspector Stewart Taylor said, “Following our appeal, we received information which suggested Kai was left at Ayr Railway Station after an internet sale went wrong. Our investigation is still on-going at this stage.”
