Dog abandoned at train station finds new home after pet lovers from around the world offered to take him
Kai, a Shar-Pei crossbreed, was abandoned at a Scottish train station last month.
He was discovered by rail staff on January 2 with a suitcase containing his favourite pillow, bowl and toy.
The images of the adorable Kai attracted worldwide attention as animal-lovers from as far as New York and Philippines have offered to give him a new home.
After much deliberation by the Scottish SPCA who rescued Kai, they chose Ian Russell, 52, from a list of hundreds to give the abandoned pooch a new start in life.
Russell, a self-employed hydraulic engineer, was overjoyed. His own pet Dalmatian had recently passed and being chosen to look after Kai was like winning the lottery.
"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,” he said.
"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.
"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 OK 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.”
He added: “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.”
Scottish SPCA animal care assistant Alan Grant said: “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.”
Grant also took the time to remind everyone that there are many rescue animals who are still looking for homes.
“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,” he said.
Image credit: Facebook