Donations flood in for dog left with suitcase at Scottish train station

On January 2, a male shar-pei crossbreed was discovered tied to a railing outside Ayr railway station in Scotland.

All of his belongings — including a pillow, food bowl, food and a toy — were beside him in a suitcase.

Thanks to an embedded microchip, the Scottish SPCA was able to learn that the abandoned dog’s name was Kai, and that his previous owner sold him on Gumtree, the U.K.’s top classifieds site, in 2013 to someone they had no address for.

"Regardless of the fact Kai was left with his belongings, this was still a cruel incident and we are keen to identify the person responsible,” said Inspector Stewart Taylor of the Scottish SPCA.

"If anyone can help we would ask them to get in touch as soon as possible.”

”Kai is around two to three years old and is a lovely dog with a nice nature. We will look after him until we can find him a permanent and loving home.”

When Kai’s story made headlines this week, generous strangers around the world stepped up to financially support Kai and help cover his medical expenses: He needs an operation for inverted eyelids, a condition common for shar-peis.

So far, more than £2,600 ($4,600 CAD) has been donated to help the abandoned dog.

According to Scottish SPCA spokesperson Ben Supple, the organization has been inundated with calls about the dog.

“We haven’t as yet found a home for Kai though we’ve been inundated with offers and will ensure we find him the right owner,” Supple told the Guardian.

After his operation, Kai will have to recover for three or four weeks before he can be introduced to a new home.

"He’s at our rescue and rehoming centre in Glasgow and is fine," spokesperson Emma Smith told the Huffington Post, “though probably wondering what all the fuss is about!”

Abandoning an animal is a criminal offence in Scotland. If Kai’s latest owner is identified, he or she could be banned from owning animals for a fixed period of time — or for life.