HSPPR helps lost “Bear” find his family after two years

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A dog named Bear, lost two years ago, was reunited with his family across the country thanks to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) and dedicated volunteers.

According to HSPPR, Bear’s family reported him missing when he got lost from a pet sitter in April 2022. The family searched for him and posted in Facebook groups, but they never found him, and soon the military moved them to New York without their beloved dog.

In July of 2024, Animal Law Enforcement (ALE) with HSPPR was alerted to a possible “Bear” sighting in the same location where he went missing two years ago. ALE officers reached out to a local group of volunteers, who are dedicated to helping lost dogs.

The volunteers jumped into action, setting up feeding stations and game trail cameras to monitor Bear. They even found the original lost pet poster from the owners made in 2022 and contacted them to let them know what was happening.

On Aug. 18, Bear was finally caught. His identity was verified through a microchip check, and when his owners were informed, HSPPR said they were crying tears of joy.

HSPPR said the volunteers yet again stepped up to make sure Bear will have a happy reunion with his family. They provided a much-needed groom, a vet visit for shots, and a health certificate. On Sept. 1, Bear is scheduled to take the long trip to New York to reunite with his family, thanks to the generosity of community members.

“This story touches our hearts in a way that you probably couldn’t imagine,” said HSPPR. “Someone told us. We told these volunteers, and out of the kindness of their hearts, they worked their butts off for Bear. It all paid off in the end because Bear is finally going to see his people again!”

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