Dog Sled Team. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Matt Boulton
Fame brought unwanted consequences for Balto and his team. After their initial celebrations, they were sold to a vaudeville show, where they were kept in poor conditions and exhibited as curiosities. Their once-heroic lives turned into a spectacle, and they suffered neglect and mistreatment. Balto’s plight caught the attention of George Kimble, a businessman and animal lover, who was appalled by their conditions. Determined to save the dogs, Kimble launched a national fundraising campaign. His efforts were successful, and in 1927, Balto and his team were rescued and brought to the Cleveland Zoo, where they received proper care and attention.
