An orphaned deer taken away from her adoptive family has been returned home for the holidays.
A couple in the Laurentians adopted the fawn four years ago after finding it abandoned on the side of the road after its mother was struck by a car.
Described as “social and curious,” the family planned to release the animal back into the wild, but she became a family pet, named May.
Wildlife agents seized the deer on Monday on an anonymous tip, because it is against the law to keep wild animals as pets in Quebec.
The office of Wildlife Minister Luc Blanchette confirmed to CTV on Friday that steps were being taken to grant a special permit to the family.
The family confirmed on Saturday in a Facebook post that May has been returned home.
“Thank you to all of you. I am back in my forest and I feel better and better. However, I have to rest because it was a hard week for us,” the post from ‘May’ read, adding that she returned home with an ‘earring’ from the wildlife ministry.
The permit is being given due to the exceptional circumstances in the case. Anyone who finds an orphaned or injured deer should not take it home, but rather contact the wildlife ministry.
Earlier this week, CTV reported on the deer, who is so tame she has her own spot in the basement and often watched television with the couple.
“It’s a member of our family. It’s like if we lost a dog,” said Brigitte Thomas, who took the deer in.
