Hundreds of pounds raised for abandoned dog left at railway station

More than £1,000 has been raised in a matter of hours to care for a dog that was abandoned at a railway stationalong with a suitcase filled with his belongings.

Shar-pei crossbreed Kai was found tied to a railing outside Ayr station in South Ayrshire last Friday in a tale similar to that of Paddington Bear.

His story hit the headlines around the world, from the US to Hong Kong, and the charity has had calls from people in California and Tennessee offering to adopt him. Words: PA

Kai, who is aged between two and three, was discovered at the station by a member of the public who contacted the Scottish SPCA. He had been left with a case containing a pillow, toys, food and his bowl.

The animal charity hopes to rehome him in Scotland in around three or four weeks once he has had surgery to his eyelids, which are curled under meaning his eyelashes touch his eyeballs.

A JustGiving page was set up by the Scottish SPCA after many people asked how they could donate to the charity and it has raised more than £1,000 since going live this afternoon.

Any funds raised above what is required to care for Kai will be used to look after other sick, injured and abandoned animals in need of food, shelter and care, the charity said.

A message from the SSPCA on the page reads: "We have been inundated with lovely messages for Kai and offers of new homes from animal lovers around the world touched by this very sad story.

"Many people have also asked how they can donate and help us care for Kai, who needs an operation on his eyes.

"This JustGiving page has been set up for anyone who wishes to donate. The Scottish SPCA receives no government or lottery funding, so all donations will be of great help.

"Please note any additional funds raised will be used to help care for sick, injured and abandoned rescued animals in need of food, shelter and veterinary care at Scottish SPCA rehoming centres.

"Thank you to everyone who has been in touch and in particular everyone who has offered to rehome Kai. We will soon find Kai a fantastic and loving new home."

The SSPCA discovered that the pet was sold on the Gumtree website in 2013 and the charity is appealing for information to help trace whoever bought him.

Alan Grant, a senior animal care assistant at the Glasgow centre, said: "It would certainly have been very distressing for him at the time he was abandoned.

"He has been tied up to a fence and watched his owners walk away and leave him, and that's distressing for any dog, even if you just tie your dog up outside the shop and go into the shop, most dogs will panic so it must have been very, very distressing for him watching his owners walk away.

"He's settled into the centre not bad and he seems very people-orientated, but it's certainly not the right manner to leave any animal in."

The charity said abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.