The BC SCPA is asking for help after six puppies and their mum, Sweetie, were donated in Victoria.
“We are so thankful the owner of these dogs recognized that they could not care for them and asked for assistance,” Eileen Drever, the BC SPCA's senior officer of protection and shareholder relations, said in a news release. “Taking care of a mom and her six puppies is a lot of work, ensuring they get everything they need to grow up to be healthy and well socialized.”
The cattle dog mix and her two-week-old pups need to remain in the BC SPCA’s care for a minimum of six weeks, where each puppy will be vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
But care comes with a price tag, and that's why the non-profit is asking the public for monthly and one-time gifts to help offset the cost of tending to the needs of these dogs and the dozens of others just like them.
“The cost and staff time to care for a litter of puppies is much greater than people realize,” Emma Hamill, manager of the BC SPCA's Victoria animal centre, said in the same news release. “BC SPCA staff are working tirelessly to ensure the puppies are healthy and socialized. This includes daily weight checks plus monitoring their hydration and appetite. Puppies this young are extremely vulnerable and need dedicated care. We are currently looking for a foster home to help support this specialized care.”
The pups were collected by a BC SPCA animal protection officer on southern Vancouver Island, after the owner contacted the RCMP for assistance.
“The puppies could barely open their eyes when they arrived at the centre,” said Hamill. “They appear to be healthy, however, mum is underweight. We are working to get her weight up and improve her body condition score.”
Upon arrival at the shelter, Sweetie was nervous, but she quickly warmed up to the BC SCPA's staff and volunteers. In no time, she was pawing for pets and cuddles, according to Hamill, who added the dog's friendly disposition will go a long way in helping her puppies adjust to the world.
"Her puppies are noticing Sweetie’s interest and affection for people. As their eyes begin to open fully, they are watching mom interact with people and have good experiences with them,” she said. “This will go a long way in making these puppies great companions when they are ready to be adopted.”
And if the puppies are not adopted at eight weeks, staff and fosters will need to start house training and further socializing the dogs. “Typically, puppies are adopted quite quickly, but if they are larger breeds, sometimes they stay with us for months until we find the right home,” says Hamill.
To donate to the BC SCPA, visit: spca.bc.ca/donations-animal-emergency.
