BC SPCA: Emaciated stray shows amazing will to live

Emaciated stray shows amazing will to live

March 1, 2010

An emaciated stray dog who was near death when she was captured by BC SPCA officers in Burnaby three weeks ago is now on the mend, thanks to our wonderful supporters, the care of SPCA medical staff and a loving foster family.

Princess, a three-year-old malinois, was so emaciated when she came to the BC SPCA Animal Hospital in Vancouver on Feb. 7 that staff feared she would not make it through the night. "She was only 15 kilograms, about half of what a typical adult malinois should weigh," said Eileen Drever, senior animal protection officer for the BC SPCA. "Her ribs protruded from her body and she barely had the strength to lift her head." SPCA hospital staff provided 24-hour care for Princess and fed her tiny meals throughout the day to help her gain weight. "Everyone just fell in love with her and did everything in their power to keep her going," said Drever.

Despite the odds stacked against her, Princess has survived and today her ribs are barely visible under her shiny coat. She is being pampered in a North Vancouver foster home with a family who has extensive knowledge and experience with malinois, a shepherd-type breed often used by police departments.

Laurel, her new foster mom, says Princess "is always ravenous" and eats five meals a day. She loves playing with toys and is very friendly with other animals but is still shy and tends to hang back instead of playing with other dogs. "She is also very afraid of men, but we are working with her on that," said Laurel.

Read our original news item for more updates and photos.

Every month, the BC SPCA Biscuit Fund helps nearly 40 animals, just like Princess. You can help ease the suffering of an animal in our care, right now. Please donate today.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.