A family in Washington state adopted a German Shepherd that someone had abandoned at a Walmart in Hesperia, California, with a box of toys and a bag of food, after a rescue effort, according to Bark N Walk.
Store workers saw someone leave the dog outside the Walmart, where he remained for three days before animal control arrived, according to a video posted by Leanna Ayala of pet photography studio Bark N Walk.
Shelter staff took the dog, now named Maverick, to the Hesperia Animal Shelter, where he remained friendly but faced a risk of euthanasia due to high intake and limited space.
Ayala, a volunteer who had also owned an abandoned German Shepherd, helped spread Maverick’s story and worked with local rescuers to create a GoFundMe for his transport.
On May 5, rescuers pulled Maverick from the shelter and transported him to Washington state, where a foster-to-adopt family was ready to take him, according to the update.
Ayala said the former owner may have acted out of fear and thanked supporters after the rescue succeeded, writing, “This is all because of you.” Maverick has since launched an Instagram page.
