Irwin

Irwin was adopted from the Whistler WAG shelter and was an extremely fearful dog. He managed to slip his collar the same morning his new owner brought him to Vancouver. He spent a week on the run in the busy city streets of Vancouver, with very few sightings to help locate him. After a false sighting (and 2 other dogs found and returned home) Al was able to lure Irwin to a safe spot with food – we didn’t want to get into a chase with him in the busy city streets.
Al had reinforced the spot with some snow fencing as best as possible, but it was a difficult area to contain as there were several houses together with unfenced yards. Once Al had Irwin blocked in between the houses, he called Maria from VOKRA and she rushed over to ensure he couldn’t break out the back side. (THANK YOU, MARIA, – you are always ready to help any animal in need!).
Irwin was understandably scared and growling, warning Al to stay away. Al managed to get a noose over his neck, and then climbed into the spot and wrangled Irwin out – he was definitely not wanting to come and fought as best he could, but Al could see Irwin is a gentle soul under the fear and was confident he wouldn’t get bit. Once Irwin was out, he let Al pick him up and carry him to our van to come home with us to wait for his owner to pick him up.
Irwin is so lucky that he found his new owner – even though she had only had him for less than a day, she went all out and did everything possible to get him home. Seeing them reconnect when she came to pick him up was great and we know she is the perfect person to bring him out of his shell. She will be keeping us up to date as he settles into his new home and we can’t wait to see him settle in!

From Irwin’s owner:

Hi Alesha and Al,
Well, it has been a month since the dog formerly known as Irwin was found. He is doing well, and is now called Dalai. He is now comfortable with me and my home and is slowly getting used to the neighborhood and our daily routines.
I wanted to thank you again for finding him, and say a few things to anyone who might be looking for a lost pet.
Petsearchers Canada is amazing! They didn’t just find my dog. They reassured me. They communicated clearly and took the time to make sure I knew what was happening. They went above and beyond every moment that my sweet boy was missing and brought him home safely.
This fella was not an ordinary case. He was just adopted the same morning he broke out of his collar and bolted. He is an extremely timid pup. He had been a stray and no one knows what happened to him but he wouldn’t come near anyone; not even for the biggest, juiciest, smelliest treat. Al made it clear that it wasn’t a quick process, but he would find him. I lost count of the hours he put in, and the number of times he dropped everything to respond to a sighting. The only reason I could sleep at all was because I knew that Al and Alesha were on the case.
After 8 days on the lam Al finally got my boy cornered in his hidey hole and, knowing how timid Dalai is, took the time to be gentle and kind and slowly brought him out. He was so scared he pooped on himself and wouldn’t walk. Al picked him despite the mess to carry him to the van.
Professional, compassionate, persistent. If your pet is missing you won’t find a better place to turn for help!
Thanks again from the fur-babies and I. We will always be grateful