Emergency homes sought for nine sick collie cross puppies

Dogs Trust is urgently appealing for emergency help for nine sick puppies rescued from a puppy farm in Carlow.

The trust is currently caring for over 40 of the most vulnerable dogs and pups, including orphaned pups, nursing mums and pups, and heavily pregnant mums of various breeds following the recent closure of a puppy farm in Co. Carlow.

Catriona Birt, Operations Manager, said: ‘The rescued dogs and pups have been given emergency veterinary treatment and are safely in our brand new ‘Pupernity Ward’. As you can imagine these are some of the most frightened and overwhelmed dogs that we have ever encountered. There is no sound from their kennels, they are too afraid to bark, there is such sadness is their eyes, it is truly heart breaking to watch’.

Dogs Trust has had amazing offers of help from the public and are now looking for some very special homes for one particular litter of puppies. These beautiful 10 week old collie cross puppies are currently being treated in Dogs Trust kennels for Adenovirus. The puppies acquired this virus most likely because of the terrible living conditions they endured in the puppy farm. Adenovirus is the virus which causes infectious canine hepatitis. Whilst other vaccinated dogs are not at high risk from this virus, here in our rehoming centre we have dogs who are not yet fully protected by vaccine and for that reason we are urgently appealing nationwide to find very special homes for these puppies for at least three months, and potentially up to six months.

These beautiful little pups will not be your ‘average’ puppy and it will take a huge amount of commitment, hard work, and patience to help them grow into happy, well rounded adult dogs, and they may still never be the most confident dogs but with your help and Dogs Trust support we can give them the best fresh start to their new lives.

If you are in a position to care for these extra special puppies – no matter what part of Ireland you live, please get in touch by calling 01 879 1000 (option 2) or email reception@dogstrust.ie. For those who have asked how they can help financially, please text the keyword Puppy to 50300 to donate €4 to help us care for these rescued fur babies.

What is required for these extra special puppies?

We are looking for the puppies to go home in pairs. At least two veterinary visits will be required every month to Dogs Trust Dublin or local vet for check ups, routine flea, worm and vaccinations, and also neutering. If you are not local to Dublin you will need to have good access to a local vet. Owners will have to be very vigilant in looking for signs of ill health, from sickness and diarrhoea to coughing and lack of appetite. From approximately four months of age upward the puppies will be able to be walked, and prior to that exercise will be restricted to your the home and secure garden. Committed, dedicated owners with a passion for socialisation and training and helping a young pup thrive; will be essential for the pups. Puppy fosterers will have the support of the Dogs Trust team at all times, to help with in all areas including veterinary and training.

See the puppies here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xx4fjZR5BI&feature=youtu.be