Dog finds his 'forever home' with pilot after being abandoned at the airport

A dog abandoned at the San Francisco airport has found a forever home with a United Airlines captain, according to the San Francisco SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

A pup named Polaris had arrived to San Francisco with a traveller from an international destination.

But the dog was abandoned at the airport when "the customer chose to continue travelling on without his animal," the San Francisco SPCA said in a news release on December 16.

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United Airlines "worked to ensure the puppy completed necessary requirements to enter the United States, including a quarantine period," said the nonprofit.

And, after completing quarantine, the pup has found a forever home with United Airlines Captain William Dale.

On December 15, the airline hosted a festive adoption party at the airport to celebrate Polaris' adoption. The airline also donated $5,000 to support the San Francisco SPCA's mission.

"United's Customer Service team took on quite a challenge to ensure Polaris would be safe, healthy, and find a loving home," said Lisa Feder, SF SPCA chief of rescue and welfare.

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"From the moment Polaris landed in our care, our entire SFO United team cared for him 24/7 until we were able to get permission to keep him safely in the US," said Vincent Passafiume, director of customer service at United Airlines.

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"It's a great feeling to see this story come full circle and that Polaris will have a loving home with United Airlines Captain Dale and his family — just in time for the holidays."

This article was originally published by CNN and has been reproduced here with permission.