Rescued Foxy and Kiba in better health

It’s a fairy-tale ending for two dogs after they were found close to death in Cork city recently.

The two emaciated dogs are making full recoveries in the care of the ISPCA after being rescued by an inspector.

On responding to a call made to the National Animal Cruelty Helpline from a concerned member of the public, Senior Inspector Lisa O’Donovan arrived at a property in Cork city to discover an extremely emaciated German Shepherd dog and Japanese Akita living in a complete squalor.

There was no evidence of food or water present and the animal charity described their living area as dreadful.

Inspector O’Donovan immediately seized both dogs as an authorised officer under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (2013) and called a veterinary practice to prepare them for the arrival of both dogs as they were in need of urgent veterinary attention.

Inspector O’Donovan said: “I was extremely concerned about the welfare of both dogs and in particular the German Shepherd dog, later called Foxy. She was in a collapsed state and extremely weak and skeletal. She was very subdued and I was really worried that she wasn’t going to make it. Carrying Foxy’s frail limp body to my vehicle is a harrowing memory that will stay with me for a very long time.”

After being admitted to the veterinary hospital, the dogs were described as dangerously dehydrated. Foxy was anaemic and her prognosis was not looking good. She received emergency supportive therapy to rehydrate her and to reverse hypothermia.

The vet’s opinion was that she would not have survived much longer. Kiba was also in very poor condition but both dogs received the necessary treatment they required and were transported to an ISPCA animal centre for care and rehabilitation.

Both dogs are making full recoveries thanks to the dedicated animal carers who have worked with them since their rescue. For more information about Foxy and Kiba, visit ispca.ie/rehoming/dogs_rehoming/.