SSPCA rescues record-breaking 216 dogs from squalor in ten days

The Scottish SPCA has rescued a record number of animals in one week and is now looking for help to deal with the “unprecedented influx”.

The animal welfare charity has issued an appeal to help fund the care of hundreds of dogs, including newborn pups, after 216 were saved from poor living and health conditions in the last ten days.

That number is believed to be the SSPCA’s biggest intake in its 185-year history and represents a 380% increase on the same period last year.

Most of the dogs, which range from small to giant breeds, had been kept in squalor with a number requiring veterinary treatment for various conditions including dental disease, infected ears, and severely matted fur.

All the animals are now safe and receiving the necessary care in rescue centres across Scotland.

The charity has also been supported by local veterinary practices in handling the emergency response.

And the numbers continue to grow as several of the dogs rescued were found to be heavily pregnant and later gave birth while in the rescue centres.

One litter of pups, born in a rescue centre, are being bottle-fed by staff.

Scottish SPCA head of rescue and prevention Laura McIntyre said: “This is the biggest single influx of dogs in such a short period that I’ve ever seen and we urgently need help to deal with this unprecedented situation.

“We are seeing increasing numbers of cases where our inspectors need to step in to remove very large numbers of multiple animals from properties where they have been kept in utterly appalling and desperate conditions and been exposed to horrific neglect. That has reached extreme levels over the past week and our teams have been working relentlessly to get hundreds of animals to safety.”

Head of rehoming and fostering Jennie Macdonald, said: “Our priority now is giving these dogs the care they desperately need and then eventually finding them new homes – we need foster homes for as many of the dogs as possible to help in the short term while we work to find their forever homes.

“Our fostering team are going above and beyond to get puppies out of the centres and into family homes for important socialisation.

“We urgently need donations to help us give these dogs the care they need, every contribution will make a difference to their recovery and their future.”

“Together we can give these animals the second chance they deserve.”

For information about donating to the SSPCA or for those considering adopting you can visit the charity’s website here.