‘Unprecedented’ number of dogs rescued from ‘miserable’ conditions

On By Yukito

SSPCA An SSPCA rescue center worker bottle-feeds a newborn puppy of unspecified breed, wearing blue gloves and a light blue protective apron.SSPCA

Some puppies are bottle-fed by staff at SSPCA rescue centers

Since the beginning of this month, the animal charity has rescued an “unprecedented” number of dogs in a series of raids across Scotland.

The Scottish SPCA said 216 dogs were found in the first 10 days of October. During the same period last year, 45 dogs were rescued.

The organization said it was the “largest single influx” of dogs in its 185-year history.

He is currently hoping to raise over £260,000 to fund animal care.

The charity said most of the dogs were kept in “absolute squalor” and a significant number required veterinary care for health problems including mouth and ear infections and severely matted fur.

Several others were pregnant and have since given birth to litters.

All animals are currently in the care of rescue centers across the country.

The charity described the conditions some were living in as “utterly appalling”.

Laura McIntyre, SSPCA’s head of rescue, said she had seen a “huge increase” in the number of dogs passing through centers since the Covid pandemic.

She said: “We are seeing a lot more multi-animal situations where we have to step in (which) can be for a variety of reasons… financial or behavioral, whether the breeding has simply gotten out of hand or the puppy has poor welfare on the commercial side – which was very evident with Covid, we still see it.”

SSPCA A litter of newborn puppies in a cage at an unspecified SSPCA rescue facility. The breed is unknown, but the puppies are brown in color.SSPCA

Several of them became pregnant and have since given birth to litters

One of the litters of puppies born at the rescue center is being bottle-fed by staff, while other animals are receiving specialist care.

The SSPCA said all dogs will be assessed for behavioral issues before any rehoming decision is made.

The charity said each dog would require around £1,223 worth of care.

They have opened an online donation portal in an attempt to raise the £264,340 needed to pay for this before homes can be found.

Jennie Macdonald, director of rehoming and fostering at the SSPCA, said: “Our priority now is to give these dogs the care they so desperately need and then find them new homes.

“We need foster homes for as many dogs as possible to help in the short term while we work to find them permanent homes.

“Our education team makes every effort to ensure that puppies leave the centers and go to family homes for important socialization.”