The BC SPCA has undertaken a rescue mission to save 27 dogs and one cat from dire neglect on a rural property in the Kootenays.
The rescue operation was launched on October 7 following an investigation into irresponsible breeding practices and neglect, according to the organization.
Animals on the property were discovered living mainly outdoors without adequate shelter and with insufficient fencing, leading to dogs wandering off and roaming freely, explained Matt Affleck, the regional manager of cruelty investigations for the Okanagan/Interior.
Many of the rescued animals were found to be underweight and are now on a special refeeding plan under veterinary supervision. Numerous puppies displayed scarring and bite wounds suggesting they had been involved in fights.
Additionally, tests revealed that most of the animals had contracted parasites such as coccidia and Giardia, likely from drinking water contaminated by an algae-covered pond.
The dogs rescued included French bulldogs, Boston terriers, heelers, Kangla shepherds, and various mixed-breeds. Among them were twelve vulnerable puppies, ranging from eight weeks to seven months old, who are particularly susceptible to parasites due to their immature immune systems.
Affleck highlighted the severe worm infections in some puppies, causing distended stomachs requiring specialized deworming treatment to prevent potential bowel obstructions.
The situation, he noted, was unusually concerning, as such intensive deworming procedures are rare for dogs and are more commonly associated with horses.
Initial fearfulness among the rescued animals has started to subside, with signs of them gradually feeling more at ease, Affleck shared.
The BC SPCA has clarified that due to an ongoing investigation, the animals are not yet available for adoption, and the timeline for their future availability remains uncertain.
This recent rescue operation is not an isolated case for the organization, as just last month, multiple cats suffering from illness were rescued from a Surrey trailer, alongside several deceased animals.