A dog found in a dangerously emaciated condition who was "hours away from death" has found a loving new home with the vet nurse who helped in his recovery. Seb was among a number of pets, including two other dogs, discovered at a house following the death of their elderly owner.
The RSPCA was called in and animal rescue officer (ARO) Ruth Thomas-Coxon was sent to collect the pets, who were signed over into the care of the charity. Seb was in a severely neglected state and his fur was a matted mess.
The 11-year-old's fur had to be shaved off and the true extent of his emaciation was revealed—with his bones and ribs protruding through his skin, the Express reports. Seb was nursed back to health by vet nurse Nicole Burn at Stanhope Park Vets in Darlington. She fell in love with him and decided to adopt him.
Nicole, 28, said: "When I first saw Seb, he looked in a terrible state and we believed he was hours away from death. When we lifted him onto the examination table at the vet's, there was just nothing on him.
"He then had to have his matted fur shaved off under an anaesthetic and we were all shocked to see how his spine and bones protruded through his skin-he was so emaciated."
Seb weighed 12.2 kilogrammes when he went for emergency treatment, but within two months had gained weight and was a more healthy 19.9 kilogrammes. As Nicole cared for Seb, she soon fell for his charms and, when he was ready to be rehomed, she jumped at the chance of adopting him.
She said: "I have grown up with rough-haired collies, so I know the breed well. He is such a gentle and happy boy. I bonded with him straight away, and now he is never too far away from me. He has been through some tough times, but he is so happy and content, and he comes to work with me every day—he is a perfect fit in my life."
The RSPCA is running its Cancel out Cruelty fund-raising campaign to save more animals like Seb. The charity receives around 90,000 calls to its cruelty line every month and investigates 6,000 reports of deliberate animal cruelty.
However in the summer, calls rise to 134,000 a month and reports of cruelty soar to 7,600 each month - 245 every day. To donate, click here.
