Chico the dog will soon be closer to his owner, who remains in a Halifax hospital after being badly beaten in Cape Breton last month.

Chico has been living at the SPCA in Sydney since the attack, but he will be moving to a doggy daycare in the Halifax area next week.

“It’s a matter of giving him more of a home environment at this daycare centre in Porters Lake, and this gives the ability for maybe someday when his dad, Shawn Jack, is ready for a visit, he will be much closer to him,” says Renee Sampson, an animal care worker at the SPCA.

Chico’s owner, 48-year-old Shawn Curtis Jack, was attacked behind the Atlantic Superstore on King Street in North Sydney, N.S. on July 14.

Jack sustained serious head injuries in the attack and was airlifted to a Halifax hospital, where he is still recovering.

Six people have been charged in connection with the incident.

Jack is originally from the Truro area and often camps behind the store with Chico during the summer months.

There has been an outpouring of support for both Jack and Chico since the attack. More than $20,000 was raised for Jack through an online fundraising website, and people have been dropping off food and toys for Chico at the SPCA.

However, the shelter couldn’t keep Jack forever and says his new home will better meet the needs of the energetic dog.

“There’s actually big, bright playrooms where he’ll get to interact with all the other dogs,” says Sampson. “The woman who owns the kenneling service actually integrates the dogs into her own home eventually, so he’ll get to lay on a sofa and cuddle up.”

Julia Hawkins, who organized the online fundraiser for Jack, says Chico won’t be empty-pawed when he arrives in the Halifax area. She says he will be bringing a scrapbook for Jack, made by his supporters in Cape Breton.

“Chico’s going to deliver the scrapbook to Halifax and then a member of Shawn’s family will pick it up and deliver it to Shawn,” says Hawkins.

Chico likely won’t be reunited with Jack until he is released from hospital, where he continues a slow, but steady recovery.

“I was speaking to a member of his family last night and he’s still making progress, small progress,” says Hawkins. “I think he’s talking a bit now and able to write some stuff.”

Chico is expected to arrive in the Halifax area sometime early next week.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald