Every day, individuals and groups dedicated to animal rescue face situations that can be quite overwhelming.
However, encountering an abandoned dog so neglected that its features are indistinguishable is an entirely different ordeal.
A rescue organization came across such a dog on the streets of Lubbock, Texas, and they immediately recognized the daunting task ahead of them.
Determined to give this pup a fresh start, they set about their mission.
An Unseen Condition
One day, Tori Houston, a volunteer at the South Plains SPCA, received a call from her boss Kim Moyers. A dog had been abandoned in Lubbock and urgently needed their assistance.
“When I arrived, the condition of this dog was likely the worst I had ever seen; he was so matted that it was hard to determine which way he faced. He was covered in prickly goat head seeds and had a terrible odor,” Houston shared with PEOPLE. “It was impossible to see any part of his body; he looked like a pile of wool.”
According to Kim Moyers, the dog’s fur had accumulated over five years, creating an overwhelming sight when they first saw him.
“This dog represents the worst case of neglect we’ve encountered. We attempted to clean him up today, but his fur is so densely matted that we couldn’t accomplish much. He has infected skin patches, hair matted so deeply it’s embedded in his skin, and his nails are two inches long. There are numerous goat head stickers throughout the mats and stuck in his skin.” SPCA shared on their official Facebook page the following day.
Additionally, they discovered a leash tangled in the fur, leading to a collar that had become fused to the dog’s neck, a scenario rarely encountered.
It was astonishing that this 6-year-old dog had managed to survive under such dire circumstances. It was heartbreaking that no one had noticed him or offered assistance.
Thankfully, the right people came forward, allowing this dog to begin the well-deserved journey toward a better life.
Revealing the Beautiful Pup Within
The team at the SPCA reached out for donations, explaining the extensive medical treatment required would be costly.
Many were moved by the story of Matt, the name given to him, and they managed to raise sufficient funds for his recovery.
Before long, Matt was taken to Ark Hospital for Pets for medical care and a thorough grooming by Kayla’s Grooming Service.
At Kayla’s Grooming Service, volunteer Kayla Thurmon removed nearly three pounds of fur from the 14-pound dog. That’s an incredible amount of fur!
This grooming session not only provided insight into his overall health, but it also revealed the handsome dog that had been concealed beneath all that fur.
“After our professional groomer, who also fosters for us, finished with him, he looked stunning,” Houston remarked. “He’s genuinely the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen—simply breathtaking.”
On the health front, they found that he was anemic and needed iron supplements. Additionally, he had an eye infection that required treatment.
“I believe this was due to having all the dust and dirt trapped in his coat,” Houston noted.
Despite these challenges, Houston couldn’t resist his charming face and decided to foster him for a few months until he was ready for adoption.
The Right Family at Last
Shortly after his arrival in foster care, Tori shared on her Facebook page that Matt was thriving.
“We went for a couple of walks today; he loves walking. He barked at people, cars, and other dogs. He dislikes taking his iron and eye medication, but he doesn’t realize that this will help him become the best dog he can be,” she wrote.
Gradually, Matt continued to improve physically and emotionally. Life became considerably less challenging without the burden of matted fur, explaining his swift recuperation.
After just a month and a half, the SPCA announced via Facebook that Matt was ready to embark on a new chapter in his life.
“Presenting his Long-Awaited Adoption Debut – It’s MATT!!” they declared, accompanied by details about this charming dog.
Although potential adopters were initially hesitant, it didn’t take long for someone to recognize his worth—leading to a moment of sheer joy for him!
The SPCA later posted on their Facebook page that Matt, along with several other dogs, found a forever home that month.
Matt’s life transformed completely—no more matted fur and his health returned to normal.
He was finally embraced by a loving family, and his coat regrew, but this time in a manageable way that perfectly suited him.
