Nine badly mistreated pit bulls getting second chances with help from Kelowna SPCA
Nine pit bulls seized by the B.C. SPCA due to brutal living conditions are finding their forever homes.
The dogs were seized form a property in Clearwater end of December 2021, after being found outside tethered to ropes in -30 Celsius weather. The dogs were found shivering, most were paw lifting, and some were attempting to drink water from the frozen bowls. No food was present.
READ MORE: Thompson pit bull owners fail in appeal to have 9 dogs returned
“We still have a couple of dogs in care in our branches, with one dog in Kelowna,” said manager at the Kelowna B.C. SPCA branch, Sean Hogan.
While B.C. SPCA employees and volunteers often deal with the difficult effects of cruelty, in this case the outcome is a happy one for everyone involved in the dogs’ care. The nine pit bulls continue to heal mentally and physically and two have transitioned successfully into a new home.
“The adopted dogs have adapted to their indoor situations,” Hogan said. “We initially warned the adopters that they may eat your couch, they might not, and thankfully they were the type of people who had a lot of experience. We are happy to share this good news. When we can get pets into a new home and have them learning what it’s like to be loved and cared for it is so heartwarming.”
Hogan said when the dogs arrived they were suffering from cold-related injuries. Staff, volunteers and veterinarian partners worked together to bring them to normal health.
“These dogs were exclusively outdoors in -20 C or lower so the dogs had frostbite and wounds, and a few were emaciated,” he said. “In the initial few weeks our work is focussed on getting them back to a quality of health that is normal for their breed type and age.”
The rescued pit bull at the branch in Kelowna is hoping for his forever home. Reese loves being with people, is very energetic and has a lot of strength.
“He has some special needs given his background so we are looking for a home to accommodate that,” Hogan said. “We’ve been working to help him get comfortable indoors and get used to indoor sounds. We are teaching him people skills as he gets so excited he loses focus trying to tell you how much he wants to hang out with you. We’ve been introducing him to other dogs and working on his manners.”
READ MORE: B.C. woman gets DNA test to prove dog sale wasn't as advertised
Hogan said this group of dogs’ continuing success gives the team hope, and encourages them to keep working hard to find better outcomes for pets.
“We work our butts off to make sure every animal gets the best care and we do it every day,” he said. “When we hear back from an adopter how happy they are with their new pet and how well they are doing, it feeds our souls.”
Hogan said the most important message he can share to others is to phone and report when you see something about a pet or its living situation does not feel right or look right.
“If you have concerns about an animal’s welfare it is not a bad idea to first do a bit of investigating and ask the owner some questions,” he said. “If you are still concerned then you call our hotline. If we don’t have the public calling us and letting us know about these things then we have no means to investigate.”
Hogan said animal lovers can put the number in their phone so they can make reports right away.
To make an animal cruelty report call 1-855-622-7722.
To look at pets ready for adoption, or to make a donation click here.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
