THUNDER BAY – After he’d been missing since Aug. 20, earlier this week, Winston was found by a gas station worker in Upsala.
Krystal Nielson was on her way to P.E.I. with her cats, when Winston went missing.
“He’s been on a journey since birth,” Nielson said.
“When we adopted him and his sister, they were found with three other siblings in the snow, with no mom.”
Neilson said the cats ended up becoming support animals for herself and her daughters.
When Neilson made the journey to P.E.I., she brought along the cats.
“We had to stop almost every hour to calm them down,” she said.
They made a stop one evening for a rest, and Winston bolted out of the vehicle door, Neilson said.
After multiple attempts at catching him, Neilson had to continue on the journey.
“We waited as long as we could and there was no sign of him. The trees were so thick there.”
Neilson called the gas station, Thunder Bay Humane Society and had a friend who was passing by look for Winston as well. There was still no sign of Winston.
“About three days ago, I got a call from the gentleman, his name is Wyatt, he has a shop that’s in the gas station in Upsala. He had Winston.
“He sent me a video clip. Winston looks the same, sounds the same. I can’t believe he is even alive,” she said.
Neilson had no idea what to do next. She reached out in a Facebook group called ‘Ask P.E.I.’ and was overwhelmed by the support she received.
She was connected with Margaret Foster who is a member at Furry hobos n hiway hero’s.
Foster worked with other organizations and helped Winston make it to Thunder Bay.
“There are other animals that are out there lost.
“If you can help an animal that's lost get home, then it would be great because that's what it's all about," Foster said.
Foster said this is a ‘shining example’ of people in Northwestern Ontario who jump in, take action and help others.
There are many people that have been involved in the safe return of Winston. Neilson and Foster are hoping for a little bit more help.
With the outpour of support, Winston will be making his way to Montreal, Québec.
“Now it’s just from Montreal to P.E.I., or as close as we can get. I have no problem meeting someone closer to the border of New Brunswick and Québec,” Neilson said.
If you’re able to bring Winston closer to home, please reach out to Krystal Nielson. Call or text 1 (403) 348-6434 or send her an email.
