Staff at rescue shelters often witness sad situations involving animals in their care. Pups surrendered to shelters frequently feel confused and anxious, with some becoming depressed. Strays, however, are often in much worse conditions. Abandoned and frightened, these dogs may even react violently due to the harsh realities of street life. Shelter staff must approach these dogs with extra care and patience to gain their trust and demonstrate that they are there to help. There are instances, however, when dogs sense they are being given a second chance, as happened in the story we share today.
Cruelly Abandoned
Upon seeing a dog and her puppies alone on the sidewalk just 20 feet from the SPCA Westchester rescue center in Briarcliff Manor, New York, the staff immediately sensed something was wrong. They discovered that the mother was tied to a carrier containing her four puppies, confirming their fears that this small family had been abandoned. Lisa Bonanno-Spence, the shelter’s director of development, shared, “Sadly, no note was left with them or any paperwork, and this person had not reached out to us for help prior. Had they contacted us, we would have taken in this sweet dog family.”
The mother dog, later named Nora, was terrified but did not flee when approached by the shelter staff; it was as if she sensed they would restore her life.
Heartbreaking Discovery
An investigation was launched to uncover the events leading to this family’s abandonment. The identity of the former owner was quickly revealed, and after being interviewed, they claimed they had believed their dog wouldn’t be impregnated by their other dog due to size differences, resulting in neither being spayed or neutered.
This information turned out to be false, and sadly, Nora’s unplanned pregnancy caused significant behavioral changes, leading the owner to abandon her and her puppies. Bonanno-Spence explained, “The owner lived just a few towns over. Mom is about 2 years old and resembles a ridgeback and hound mix. The puppies, around 3.5 months old, bear more resemblance to pit bulls, which is the breed of the father.” They were immediately taken to the rescue center, where they received the care they needed to calm down and begin healing.
“Mom is still quite scared, but she’s becoming a bit more trusting each day. With time, patience, and support from our staff and volunteers, we’re confident she’ll start to come out of her shell,” Bonanno-Spence noted.
I believe that soon both Nora and her puppies will forget their difficult beginnings and embrace a life filled with happiness, fun, and adventure. The SPCA Westchester Rescue Center is dedicated to making that a reality.
“We hope to find a quiet, dog-savvy foster home for mom. If that isn’t possible, she will remain at our center to undergo rehabilitation,” Bonanno-Spence concluded.
Importance Of Being Informed
It’s crucial to understand that conception between dogs is not influenced by their size. This means that any dog can potentially become pregnant regardless of her size compared to the male dog. Owners with two dogs of opposite sexes who are not prepared for a litter must consider spaying or neutering.| But if an unplanned pregnancy does occur, abandoning the puppies is never the solution!
According to research from The Zebra, approximately 3.9 million dogs in the USA are cruelly abandoned and forced to survive on the streets, which can be prevented. When dogs are well cared for, unwanted pregnancies can be avoided. And if they do occur, instead of leaving the puppies to fend for themselves, it’s far better to bring them to a local shelter for adoption. These animals deserve better!
Please remember, if you ever find yourself in this situation, do all you can to give these animals a second chance at life – they deserve nothing less.
