The Shuswap BC SPCA is urging people to report animal neglect and cruelty after responding to two separate “large-scale neglect cases involving severely underweight dogs.”
Dogs from both cases were taken in by the local SPCA over the past two weeks. Both matters remain under investigation.
“The first involved 10 dogs living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions,” said the Shuswap SPCA in a May 11 social media post. “These dogs were severely underweight and clearly had not been properly fed or cared for for quite some time.
“After vet exams, they had to be put on specialized refeeding plans because when animals have been deprived of nutrition for that long, even food itself can become dangerous too quickly.”
The second case involved eight dogs found inside a home in “concerning conditions.”
“The dogs were found throughout multiple rooms of the house surrounded by urine and feces,” said the Shuswap SPCA. “One dog had ruptured a water line trying to get to water. Others had consumed feces, towels, and blankets in attempt to find something to eat.”
The latter group of dogs also required extensive veterinarian care and feeding plans because of their condition.
“One of the dogs had eaten so much fabric that she developed an obstruction that required emergency surgery. Thankfully she is okay now and recovering from that surgery like the little trooper she is!”
The Shuswap SPCA said it shared these stories not to shock people, but “because communities need to understand what is happening around them,” noting “real change only happens when people are willing to acknowledge the problem and demand better.”
Stressing how animal protection is the core purpose of the BC SPCA, the organization urged the following:
• Report neglect and cruelty to the BC SPCA Animal Helpline at 1-855-622-7722;
• Support animal protection work;
• Participate in advocacy campaigns;
• Push for stronger animal protection laws and harsher penalties.
The post notes the BC SPCA is the only animal welfare organization in the province with authority to enforce laws related to animal cruelty, with animal protection officers “investigating cruelty and neglect cases like these ones every single day.”
“We’re a small community that looks out for one another,” said the Shuswap SPCA. “Despite horrible stories like this, we know we are surrounded by caring people.
“Animals do not get a voice in these situations – they rely on ours – and behind every cruelty file is an animal that depended on a human to do better!”
Read more: B.C. SPCA tell tale of lost Kamloops cat to highlight pet databases