Woman flies cross-country to adopt DeLand shelter dog

Boomer was in the shelter for 4 years

DeLAND, Fla. – A video posted by a volunteer to social media of a lonely dog at the West Volusia Human Society inspired a California woman to fly to Florida and give him a forever home after four years in the shelter.

The video shows the dog's scared demeanor and continuously spinning in circles due to the stress and anxiety of being in a kennel for four years.

The dog, named Boomer, was suffering mentally from kennelitis, which is a mental disorder caused by being in kennels for too long. The shelter staff brought Boomer in four years ago as a stray, and due to the location and hours of the shelter, as well as Boomer's behavior in the kennel from stress, he has had little to no interest.

Captivated by him, Jessica Davis decided to take matters into her own hands. Davis decided to rescue him after seeing the video on social media and traveled from California to Deland Monday to adopt Boomer and bring him back home with her.

“I flew out all the way from California to rescue Boomer, who I saw a video of on social media that broke my heart, and I knew I had to do something about it,” Davis said.

According to the GoFundMe account, Davis reached out to over 40 rescue groups in Florida, Chicago, Denver, and New York for help but due to reaching their own limits, there was nothing they could do. Davis said she started a GoFundMe account to prepare resources for Boomer to transition into a home life after being in the kennel for four years.

She is asking for donations to help with his training classes and cost of shipping Boomer on a Delta flight. All funds will be directly applied to Boomer, and extra funds will be donated to the Boomer’s old home, West Volusia Humane Society.

“Something resonated with me about Boomer,” Davis said. “He’s going to have one week with training with Ceasar Milan and after that  we’re going to do beach runs and camp trips so he’s going to an amazing home.”

The West Volusia shelter has eight other dogs still waiting for someone to adopt them.

 


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News 6’s Emmy Award-winning Investigative Reporter Mike Holfeld has made Central Florida history with major investigations that have led to new policies, legislative proposals and even -- state and national laws. If you have an issue or story idea, call Mike's office at 407-521-1322.