Louie’s Kansas City Homecoming

In 2019, a male Shih Tzu Bichon puppy was stolen from a Petland location formerly located in Olathe, Kansas. The puppy, believed lost all those years, was picked up as a stray by Independence (Missouri) Animal Control. During the dog’s check-in at the shelter, his microchip showed he was owned by Petland and was listed in the database as “stolen.”

Soon, a phone call came in from the shelter to Petland’s corporate office asking what we wanted to do with the pet. Never wanting to burden a shelter with a Petland pet, there was only one answer. To pick up the dog and find him his forever home.

Petland’s Franchise Operations Director lives in the region and began making phone calls to area franchisees to let them know the dog was available if they knew of anyone who would be a good match for the pup. Upon arriving at the shelter, the operations director paid the shelter’s $60 processing fee, and within minutes was back on the road with the dog.

With no leads on a forever home, he checked in with a family member who had been thinking about adding a dog to their family. The family member was eager to meet the dog. As soon as he got out of the car and met what would become his forever family, it was love at first sight for all parties. “It is a perfect fit,” said the Operations Director. The dog, who has been on unknown adventures since his days as a stolen Petland puppy, is now named Louie; and is being well cared for in a loving family home.