From Abandoned in the Forest to Beloved Mascot: Laïko’s New Life at a French Tourist Office

A Chance Discovery in the Woods

It was hikers who first spotted Laïko, a one-and-a-half-year-old dog, deep in a forest in Corrençon-en-Vercors, in the Isère region of southeastern France. He was tied to a tree with a short leash, alone and too afraid to approach strangers.

“We don’t know how long he had been there,” recalls Laureen Jarrand, communications officer at the Corrençon tourist office. “He was scared, very thin—you could see all his bones.”

A local musher, experienced in working with dogs, was eventually able to approach and secure him. From there, Laïko was brought to the tourist office to await a vet check.

From Malnutrition to a New Role

Despite being slightly anemic, Laïko was otherwise healthy. His calm nature, curiosity, and affectionate temperament quickly won over the staff. “He’s very sociable, he goes toward people. You can see he just wants love and attention. He even has a calming effect on visitors,” says Laureen with a smile.

It didn’t take long for the decision to be made: Laïko would stay. Adopted by one of the staff members, he now spends his days at the front desk, greeting tourists with a wagging tail.

Raising Awareness About Summer Abandonment

For the tourist office, Laïko is more than a mascot—he’s a living reminder of a serious problem. Every summer in France, tens of thousands of pets are abandoned as families leave for vacation, overwhelming shelters. According to the association 60 Millions d’Amis, 60,000 animals are abandoned during the summer months—that’s one every two minutes.

The team hopes that Laïko’s story will encourage compassion and responsible pet ownership. “We want to give him a new life where he can thrive,” says Laureen. “And we also want to raise awareness about the reality of abandonment.”

A New Beginning

Only a few days after his rescue, Laïko had already adapted to his new environment. For a dog who may have been kept indoors his entire life—his long nails suggesting he rarely, if ever, went outside—the forest could have been his end. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new chapter.

From a lonely tree in the woods to a welcoming counter at the tourist office, Laïko’s journey is proof that second chances can change everything.