When Huey, a stocky, sweet-faced Staffordshire terrier, went missing in Utah, his family never imagined his journey would take him all the way to North Texas — and back again. But thanks to a microchip, a flurry of social media pleas and a big-hearted team at The Colony Animal Services, this resilient pup headed home.
Huey Ends Up In Collin County
It all started when Huey’s owner, a single mother of three young children, faced tough financial decisions. Amid a divorce and struggling to afford a pet deposit, she entrusted Huey to a friend temporarily. Unfortunately, Huey escaped and somehow ended up as a stray in Collin County.
He was picked up by the Collin County Animal Shelter in McKinney. Overcrowded and overwhelmed, the shelter was forced to mark Huey for euthanasia. But thanks to his microchip, shelter staff were able to reach his rightful owner — living nearly 1,000 miles away in Utah. Desperate to reclaim her dog but unable to afford a quick trip or transport, she turned to social media for help.
That’s when Mark Cooper, director of animal services for The Colony, saw the calls for support. “This wasn’t even in our jurisdiction,” Cooper said on a Facebook Live, “but sometimes you just help because it’s the right thing to do.”
Cooper reached out to Collin County and proposed a shelter-to-shelter transfer. Understanding the urgency and Huey’s unique behavioral needs — he doesn’t tolerate crates or confined spaces well — Collin County agreed. Cooper, along with a professional behaviorist from Waggy Butt, retrieved Huey and brought him to The Colony.
“The moment we got him out of the kennel, he melted,” said Cooper. “He’s been nothing but a lovebug. He plays in the water, gives kisses — just a completely different dog outside of that stressful environment.”
Getting Huey Back
Back in Utah, the owner and her children were overwhelmed with gratitude. The team at The Colony regularly sent updates, photos and video calls to keep the family connected. Huey’s bonded sibling, his littermate, is still with the family — and thanks to a coordinated ground transport effort, they made plans to reunite.
But transporting a dog across state lines isn't simple. It requires a health certificate, updated vaccinations and significant funding. The Colony staff covered Huey’s veterinary needs and began fundraising to cover the $1,100 cost of a trusted, single-animal transport service — one that typically works with K-9 units and law enforcement.
“He’ll be riding in style,” Cooper said. “He’s got a whole Mercedes van to himself and he's not confined to a little crate on that such long drive.”
With around $600 of donations from generous North Texans and a few last-minute commitments from local friends of the shelter, the funding goal was nearly met. Any remaining costs will be covered by volunteers who refused to let this story end in heartbreak.
Huey left Texas on Sunday and was reunited with his family shortly after. And while The Colony Animal Services typically focuses on pets within its own city limits, Cooper says stepping in for Huey was an easy call.
“This is a win-win for us. I'm so glad we were able to help with this,” Cooper said. “Sometimes we need a good story like this, because we deal with so much negativity.”
As for Huey? He’ll be catching up on rest, soaking up affection from his siblings — human and four-legged alike.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.
