10/10/2024
Update: 10-11-24
We are seeing an unfair response toward the shelter who initially helped Trooper, and the volunteer-run Lost and Found pet group who reported Trooper as returned to owner, and we want to be absolutely clear: This is not acceptable.
Errors happen, especially in stressful, hectic, and emotional circumstances. Trooper is safe. Trooper is also one dog - there are hundreds of animals right now in need of their care and attention and they deserve to be able to focus on that. Let them do their lifesaving work helping animals.
This morning we were able to contact them to get more information on what happened, and we felt terrible having to take up their valuable time to clarify why he was posted as Returned to Owner.
It was an error - the same Trooper who brought him in to be looked over was the one who came back to pick him up for his transfer. Since he was released to the same person who brought him in, he was mistakenly listed as returned to owner, and later updated as transferred to law enforcement. We confirmed that an original owner did not come forward.
Trooper is safe and in our care, and shelters across the US are working hard to provide relief after two major hurricanes hit the south. There’s no reason to be unkind.
We also want to reiterate we are not taking adoption inquiries at this time. We have already received dozens of inquiries, and we understand he is a special and famous dog, but he needs time to decompress in foster so that we can match him with the best fit possible so that he has the best transition into his forever home.
Thank you to everyone who has been supportive and kind during this time!
EDITED TO ADD -
We’re seeing a lot of people reference a reunion that we weren’t informed on, and have no proof of. A comment on a Facebook post isn’t always factual.
We picked him up last night from the Department of Emergency Services after being contacted by the Governor’s office.
We respect our following - we would never lie to you. He’s in our care and we worked directly with government services to accept him in Leon County because of the damage expected to that area.
If his abandonment was a misunderstanding, that’s another reason to not accept applications. If these claims have any basis and reunification is possible, excellent! But as far as we know, we were contacted to take in a dog who needed help, and accepted the call.
If you’re feeling skeptical, continue following us. We’ll show you his journey and we’ll earn your trust.
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We're sure you've heard about the dog who was left on an evacuation route, tied to a pole on I-75.
This storm was huge, powerful, and we're still learning the extent of how much damage was done. We know that without the help with Florida Highway Patrol Troopers with Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that this dog would not have made it through. We're grateful the Troopers understood he was a scared and abandoned dog and treated him so patiently and kind during the rescue. They immediately wanted to make his life better and ensure his safety, and we're so thankful that animal abandonment is being taken seriously.
Leaving this dog in this way was completely unacceptable and endangered not only his life, but could have endangered others by causing a hazard on an already busy and stressful evacuation route. It was cruel, and it was thoughtless not only toward him, but toward the people who were trying their best to handle the incoming storm.
We can't imagine the situation that ended with him tied to this pole and left him without any hope. It's hard even to think about how scared he must have been as cars raced by, the water rose to his belly, and the storm clouds darkened.
We wanted to let those who have been following this story know that he is safe and sound, because we've been worried about him since seeing his story. We also want those following to know that we take animal abandonment seriously and will be closely watching his case and using his experience to educate.
His name is Trooper, because of how much he's been through and to honor those who saved him.
We know that many people are going to be interested in adopting him, because he's an amazing dog and deserves the world, and for every terrible person who would leave him like this there are hundreds who would go above and beyond, but right now we aren't accepting any applications or inquiries.
Really really, no inquiries please, we promise to update when he's ready.
He's incredibly stressed and still decompressing. Abandoning a dog like this doesn't typically allow for an immediate bounce back to their happy selves. Most dogs when rescued take a few days to feel safe, a few weeks to come out of their shell, and a few months to become comfortable and fall into a routine.
We have absolutely no idea what his life looked like before he was abandoned. We want to be sure that we know exactly what he needs before even considering adoption, so he'll be in foster care until we feel confident he's ready for the next phase of life, and that his future will be kind to him.
ETA: We've been made aware there is misinformation circling about this dog, we assure you that he is in our care, he was not reunited, and we worked directly with authorities to take him in.
We know that there will be more animals from this storm that need assistance, and even though we already have a busy program from our immediate community, we're here to help our neighbors and beyond. Animals don't know zip codes, they just need help.
If you're able, please consider making a donation through this post or our website, www.leoncountyhumane.org/donate to assist in our daily rescue work so we can continue to help dogs like Trooper, and other animals in need.
