Abandoned puppies celebrate rescue centre birthday
All seven of the puppies have found new homes.
Seven Dachshund-Labrador crossbreeds have been reunited by the Scottish SPCA to celebrate their rescue birthday.
They were marking a year since they were found abandoned, aged just days old, and rescued by the charity.
The crossbreed puppies were discovered in a plastic box in Bathgate, West Lothian. A member of the public found them and brought them to a local veterinary practice.
The veterinary practice later released them into the care of the Scottish SPCA, which brought them to their Glasgow rescue and rehoming centre.
From their arrival, it was touch-and-go for the seven puppies. For the first two weeks of their lives they required around-the-clock care, including milk feeds every two hours through the night.
At weeks 3 and 4, the team were able to wean them onto puppy food, extending the time between their feeds.
The committed care of the Scottish SPCA team has meant that the puppies have all been nursed back to health. All seven of the puppies have now been rehomed, with two of them staying on with members of the Scottish SPCA team.
The puppies are now called Whirlwind, Mylo, Mavis, Orla, Bueller, Matty and Sully. The siblings were reunited by the Scottish SPCA to mark a year since they were rescued.
Lesley Morgan, one of the animal care assistants at Scottish SPCA, is Whirlwind’s owner. She says he earned his name because ‘he rules my house and is a force of nature!’.
Ms Morgan said: “It’s fantastic to see all the puppies playing with each other today. Celebrating their first birthday is something we at the centre couldn’t have dreamed of when they first came to us.
“I have such a strong bond with the pups as myself and two other colleagues hand reared them – I am just so happy that not only did they survive but started to thrive!”
She added: “Hand rearing is so rewarding but is hard work. But when I see the pandemonium and chaos of this party I wouldn’t change a thing – it was so worth it!”
Images © Scottish SPCA
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
