Simba, a dog who traveled roughly 2,300 miles from Venezuela with his family in 2022 — including crossing the Darién Gap — was placed in an Orlando animal shelter after his owners were detained at an immigration appointment on Sept. 10. Bridge Pups Rescue, which helped the family when they first arrived, arranged local foster care for Simba and plans to move him to El Paso while working to reunite him with his family or return him to Venezuela if they are deported. The rescue says Simba is showing separation anxiety and is keeping Yurimar updated on his status.
Simba, Dog Who Traveled 2,300 Miles Through the Darién Gap, Found Alone in Florida Shelter After Family’s Detention
Simba the dogCredit: Bridge Pups Rescue
Simba, a family dog who journeyed some 2,300 miles from Venezuela — including passage through the dangerous Darién Gap — was taken to an Orlando animal shelter after his owners were detained at an immigration appointment.
A Harrowing Journey
In 2022, Yurimar, her husband and their three children made the long trek from Venezuela through Colombia, Central America and Mexico to seek asylum in the United States. During parts of the migration the family carried Simba in a backpack so he could travel with them, including through the perilous Darién Gap.
Simba the dogCredit: Bridge Pups Rescue
Temporary Care And Then Detention
When the family first arrived in the U.S., Bridge Pups Rescue, an El Paso, Texas–based nonprofit that helps asylum-seeking families keep their pets, temporarily cared for Simba while the family secured pet-friendly housing. A little over four years later, on Sept. 10, the family’s circumstances changed: Yurimar and her children were detained during an immigration appointment in Florida and transferred to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. At the time of detention, the husband’s whereabouts were unknown.
Simba Found Alone And Sheltered
After the family was detained, a neighbor heard Simba alone at the family’s home and alerted authorities. Orange County Animal Services in Orlando took custody of the dog. Before her detention, Yurimar had already contacted Bridge Pups Rescue seeking help because she feared she might have to self-deport and did not want to abandon Simba.
Simba the dogCredit: Bridge Pups Rescue
Rescue Efforts And Next Steps
Bridge Pups Rescue founder Ruby Montana, who had been in almost daily contact with Yurimar, learned Simba had been placed in the county shelter and immediately moved to secure his care. The rescue arranged a local foster placement in Orlando and plans to transport Simba back to its El Paso facility when possible so the dog can remain with an organization familiar with the family while reunification efforts continue.
“We know how deeply devoted Yurimar is to her children and to Simba,” Montana said, noting that the family calls the dog their "hijo." The rescue is keeping Yurimar updated and is prepared to reunite Simba with the family when they are released — or to return him to Venezuela if the family is deported.
Bridge Pups also reported Simba is showing signs of separation anxiety, which the rescue is addressing while coordinating with local animal services and partner organizations to keep the dog safe until a reunion can be arranged.
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