A three-month old Labrador retriever cross puppy is recovering in foster care after being dumped in a planter box outside the Alberni-Clayoquot SPCA in Port Alberni.
91ƵThis is a truly heartbreaking story,91Ƶ says Sam Sattar, manager of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot community animal centre. 91ƵOne of our staff members came to the animal centre before opening to walk one of the dogs in our care and noticed movement in one of our planter boxes. When they went to check what it might be, they found Poppy.91Ƶ
Sattar adds that when they checked the security footage they saw someone pull up in the middle of the night and abandon Poppy at the gate of the animal centre. What was so sad, he said, was watching Poppy try to run after them as they pulled away. The car stopped, and they grabbed Poppy and put her in the planter box where she stayed sitting for hours in the cold.
91ƵUnfortunately, this is not the first time a dog has been left at our animal centre after hours,91Ƶ says Sattar. 91ƵWe want people to know that if they are no longer able to care for their pet, for whatever reason, they can bring them to a BC SPCA animal centre during regular hours. We would be happy to take them into our care.91Ƶ
Poppy was brought to a vet and it was determined that she had mange, a secondary skin infection, ear infections and was loaded with parasites. 91ƵThe lymph nodes in her groin were so swollen that she was x-rayed to rule out masses and a possible hernia,91Ƶ says Sattar.
She was prescribed antibiotics, ear ointment, medicated baths twice a week, along with flea and mite treatment for the mange. Poppy was also dewormed and given probiotics to be taken with her food. When she was brought to the vet for a check-up, she was prescribed a second round of antibiotics and medicated baths with a recommendation of three rounds of treatment for the mange. Poppy will be spayed when she is feeling better.
91ƵAn amazing BC SPCA foster family took Poppy in,91Ƶ says Sattar. 91ƵThey have been making sure she gets all the treatment and love she needs to recover.91Ƶ Poppy has been gaining confidence in the foster home and loves people of all ages; however, she is very nervous and fearful around men.
91ƵPoppy started out very quiet and sad, but like most sick puppies, now that she is feeling better, her demeanour has completely changed. She is super playful and full of energy, hopping and skipping about like a fawn,91Ƶ says Sattar. 91ƵShe is gentle and sweet and a total people pleaser91Ƶher foster family is in love with her.91Ƶ
If you can help Poppy and other animals in need at the BC SPCA, please visit medical.spca.bc.ca.