Dog getting groomed at Rover Makeover in Sorrento.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Donna Meads
April 25, 2023 - 6:00 AM
A dog that was found severely matted and without a collar in a rural Sorrento area late last week has been given a complete makeover, and a second chance at life.
Resident Amy Berry took the dog straight to the vet when it wandered onto her rural property on April 21 as it was in rough condition with its chin pinned to its chest with burrs and electrical tape stuck to its fur.
“He’s vet-checked, no tattoo or micro-chip, estimated age five years old, intact male,” Berry wrote in her initial post on April 21. “He needs food and water and desperately needs a groomer to shave his poor body.”
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Since then Berry has teamed up with groomer Donna Meads from Rover Makeover who cleaned the dog up and took him into her care.
“The matting had to be at least two years’ worth, the tops of his ears are bald from the weight of the mats pulling his fur out by the roots, it’s painful,” Meads said. “He was like a puppy right after we shaved him, doing zoomies all over the shop.”
Meads has taken the dog into temporary foster care as a trial for adoption. She said he is not house- or leash-trained, doesn’t know how to climb stairs and is afraid of the television.
“I don’t think he’s set foot in a house before,” she said. “We’ll see if he’s going to fit in with me, he has to be a good shop dog as well, but as far as I know I’m keeping him.”
Berry said an owner came forward and chose to surrender the dog, but would not disclose further information.
“He (the dog) wasn’t wandering the mountains like we’d first assumed due to his condition,” she said. “He's a very sad case of animal neglect and cruelty.”
Meads is taking the dog to a vet for neutering, vaccines and an in-depth assessment this week. She is providing financial support and has offered her help for free throughout.
“I’m just going to do it, it needs to be done,” she said. “I think it’s important to have those things done before he is adopted whether he stays with me or not.”
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When Berry first posted about the dog to social media she was met with offerings of help from the Shuswap community.
“He (the dog) will be provided with all the needs and wants to get him confident in himself and find a new safe, loving home. Thank you to everyone who reached out, offered support and shared the post.”
The women describe the dog as friendly and gentle and a “sweet little boy.” They haven’t chosen a name for him yet.
A Rover Makeover is a full service pet grooming salon at 1240 Trans Canada Highway in Sorrento.
Go here if you want to help cover vet costs.
A severely matted dog found in Sorrento.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Amy Berry
A matted dog found in Sorrento, after being groomed.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Amy Berry
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