A neglected bald puppy, who looked more like ''a seal'' than a dog after her owners ignored her skin disease, is now thriving as she enjoys a ''healthy and happy'' life. The mistreated Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Pearl, was only four months old when the RSPCA rescued her from a home in April this year, Wales Online reports.
Inspector Rowena Proctor discovered the poorly dog, who had lost her fur, in the doorway of a property in Newcastle, after she was informed by a member of the public about Pearl's condition. The pup was taken for some emergency veterinary treatment after her owners agreed to let her go, and medics discovered Pearl was severely underweight and suffering from a skin disease which caused constant irritation and fur loss.
Pearl has since made a miraculous recovery and is doing ''absolutely amazing'' and is ''full of energy and life'' while she patiently waits to be adopted. Rowena said: “The transformation she has undergone is absolutely amazing."
She added: "She looked more like a seal than a puppy when I rescued her - now she looks just how you would expect and is so healthy and happy. She is full of energy and life and is very excitable and also very loving too. I am so thrilled to see how she now looks thanks to the dedicated staff at the RSPCA centre."
Little Pearl was quickly on the road to recovery within just two weeks of being rescued after she was given medication and a special diet at the Felledge Animal Centre in Chester-le-Street in County Durham.
The staff at the centre have nursed the Staffy back to good health, helping the puppy put on weight and grow back her fur as she now waits for her forever home. Rowena said: “She will be available for rehoming with Felledge soon once she has finished her medication and has had a little bit more training."
The RSPCA have reported a 13 per cent rise in recent neglect incidents as the cost of living crisis adds extra pressure on family bills. Rowena is concerned that many other animals may suffer as their owners struggle to afford veterinary care for their pets.
Rowena added: “Sadly calls to the RSPCA about neglect like this case have risen as the cost of living crisis bites and with more people struggling, we expect more animals will be neglected and abandoned by owners who can no longer afford to care for them. This is why we have launched our Winter appeal to help raise funds so we can keep rescuing and rehoming pets in need like Pearl - and we are urging the public to support us.”
Concerned pet owners who are struggling during the cost of living crisis are being urged to contact the RSPCA's helpline for practical advice and support - or to look at their website, www.rspca.org.uk/home
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