Twenty-two little puppies were found along the Waimakariri River, cold and starving.
It marks the second time pets have been dumped in the area in recent weeks, after a disabled kunekune was left to die on the side of the road in West Melton last month.
Christchurch SPCA Foster and Volunteer Team Leader Jaz Crowther said when the call came in from a woman saying she had found 22 puppies along the river, the staff could hardly believe it.
“Maybe it’s only five, and they’re just running really fast,” Crowther said, describing their thoughts.
However, an inspector was able to confirm the number and soon the SPCA was on its way to the scene.
Crowther said the woman was able to collect them all and that SPCA staff ran into her halfway through the journey.
The exact location of the dumping could not be confirmed because the finder himself did not know exactly where it was.
Crowther said that after taking their dog load back to HQ, staff assessed six as in need of urgent veterinary care.
The other 16 can be quarantined immediately for weighing and flea and worm treatment.
All puppies were underweight, cold and infested with worms.
Apart from the seriously ill at the vet who had to be fed with a syringe, the rest “mopped” their first meal.
Traditionally, the staff searched for the names of the puppies according to a theme. They were aided in this by a plethora of characters in the Harry Potter books.
The names of the puppies are Bellatrix, Plimpy, Remus, Gilderoy, Niffler, Myrtle, Norbert, Hedwig, Fleur, Tonks, Foppe, Hagrid, Pygmy Puff, Fang, Dobby, Sybil, Nymphadora, Harpy, Pansy, Newt, Griffin and Sirius .
Unfortunately, one of the six in need of urgent care, Sirius, could not be rescued.
The remaining 21, now called the Potter Puppies, were all taken care of the next day between 10 houses.
“We’re very lucky to have so many foster parents raising their hands. However, we’re a bit exhausted right now,” Crowther said.
The organization was always looking for additional foster parents for dogs, and now even more so.
Crowther said it had been a “logistical feat” to get all the supplies ready for each puppy as they went to their foster homes.
“After that I have to find 21 more collars and leashes.”
A Potter Puppies playdate was scheduled for this week, where the 21 could run around together again, just as they had that day along the river. Only this time they would be much healthier and happier.
Crowther said the puppies were about five to six weeks old when they were found on June 21.
They would reach sexual maturity at the end of this month and be put up for adoption next month.
It was good to see them thriving with lots of warmth and food in their foster homes. Their weight on arrival at the SPCA was only 700 to 1.8 kg.
“Their little sunken faces look a bit rounder. Considering how sickly they all were when they came in, it’s a miracle we only lost one.”
Crowther said staff suspected the puppies, all a mix of Staffordshire bull terriers, came from two separate litters, with 10 being slightly larger than the other 11.
However, it was hard to tell and they could even come from more than two litters.
While the SPCA is no stranger to animals being left for dead, a spokesman said it was the highest number of animals in a single deposit in the Canterbury area in at least about 10 years.
Crowther said the incident served as a reminder for people to sterilize their animals.
In addition, she advised anyone overwhelmed by puppies or kittens to contact the SPCA, which focuses on helping sick, injured and vulnerable animals.
Meanwhile, the SPCA is continuing the investigation into the June 17 dumping of the kunekune.
The pig could not walk and was left by the side of the road with bedding and feed. Locals arrived and transported it to the SPCA, where unfortunately it had to be euthanized the next day, presumably because of severe arthritis.
- If you have any information about dumping the kunekune or puppies please call the Christchurch SPCA on 03 349 7057.