They were part of the 32 Pomeranian dogs and puppies seized in Vernon by BC SPCA animal protection officers. Three moms – one with two newborn puppies and two who were very pregnant.
“It was a lot for BC SPCA staff to deal with,” says Shannon Paille, manager of the BC SPCA’s Kelowna animal centre. “Thirty-two dogs had been exposed to the potentially deadly parvovirus, with especially vulnerable puppies in the mix. We needed to get the sick ones treated and the others into foster homes as soon as possible.”
Two fosters, one who has been fostering for the BC SPCA for about three years and one who is new to the Society, answered the call. The mom with the two newborn puppies would go to Serah. And the two pregnant moms would have their puppies in Denise’s home.
Serah says her kids couldn’t wait to name the Pomeranian mom and her puppies. “They came up with Opal for the mom and Winter and Blizzard for the puppies.” Serah’s first job was to help Opal feel better. “We really saw her true personality come out when we clipped the matted fur around her tail and gave her a bath,” she says. “She was a different dog.”
Opal has been an incredible mom to her puppies. “The kids have also been helping with their care,” says Serah. “They love and adore these puppies. Winter and Blizzard are definitely comfortable being handled – they don’t get put down for very long.”
The older the puppies get, the more their personalities are starting to shine. “Blizzard is more like her mom Opal, a little shy and timid, and Winter is more outgoing and feisty. Both puppies can’t get enough of my kids.”
This is Serah and her family’s first-time fostering a mom and her puppies, and they were not sure what to expect but she says it has been nothing but a rewarding experience. “We have loved having them in the home.” Even the cat is on board! “The puppies are big fans of our two-year-old cat, Poppy. She has been so patient with them. They chase her around and she does not care,” she says. “These puppies are going to their new homes well socialized.”
Serah says she has been so happy to play a part in the rest of Opal, Winter and Blizzard’s lives. “Whoever adopts these dogs is going to be so lucky. They have brought nothing but joy and love to our home and I know they will do the same for their new families.”
Denise took on the care of the two very pregnant Pomeranians who came into the BC SPCA’s care. These dogs were not so lucky as Opal. Both were underweight and sick with giardia and coccidiosis. Wicket, who gave birth first, had a litter of three puppies, but only one survived.
“Padme, also had alopecia, hypothyroidism and so much caked yeast on her skin, she couldn’t lift her head up or move her legs when we got her,” says Denise. “It took two baths to get her skin to the point where she could straighten her legs and straighten her neck.” Thankfully, the three puppies in her litter all survived.
“I didn’t have much time to grieve the loss of the puppies I tried so hard to save,” says Denise. “I had to focus on treating the dogs for coccidiosis and giardia. We were particularly worried because it can kill puppies.”
Coccidiosis is a disease caused by the presence of the coccidia parasite that lives in the wall of a dog’s intestine. Dogs can become infected when they are exposed to feces or soil that contains the parasite.
“I wore two separate sets of PPE for six weeks,” says Denise. “I had to make sure while the two dogs and their puppies were being treated, there wasn’t any cross-contamination.”
One of the toughest parts was keeping the puppies apart from each other, especially Wicket’s only surviving puppy, Little Vader. “He is so desperate to play with the other puppies,” says Denise. “His mom plays with him and is trying her best to keep him entertained, but I can hardly wait until they are well enough to all be in one room together.”
Denise adds that Padme doesn’t seem to know how to play with her puppies or just doesn’t have the energy. “She is older than Wicket,” she says. “I worry that she has had so many litters that she just doesn’t have the will anymore. She does a wonderful job of feeding and cleaning them, but when they climb all over her, looking for attention, she doesn’t engage. I think Padme may just need a break from being a mom.”
Denise says having them all in her home has been a blessing. “I adopted a special needs dog from Mexico named Atari. They didn’t think anyone would ever adopt him because he had distemper as a puppy and had so many issues. He has been sitting outside of their room whining because he wants to play with them so badly.”
The same lucky break she gave to Atari, she is now giving to Padme. “She has so many issues, I just know it won’t be easy finding a family for her. She needs a special home,” says Denise. “I work at the veterinary clinic that was treating the Pomeranians and I went with the veterinarian to the BC SPCA to do bloodwork and ultrasounds. I knew as soon as I saw her on the examination table that I was going to foster her, but now I know I am going to love her forever.”
Denise will have the puppies and their moms in her home for another month or so – she is going to enjoy it while she can. “It is so much fun to come home, go to their room and be swarmed with three puppies trying to lick toes and biting and pulling on my PPE. It is so cute. I cannot wait to get out of PPE and be able to play with them all together.”
32 Pomeranian dogs and puppies seized from irresponsible breeder by BC SPCA animal protection officers
Original story: August 13, 2024
BC SPCA animal protection officers have seized 32 Pomeranian dogs and puppies from an irresponsible breeder who was housing them in a garage with no ventilation or air conditioning on a property in Vernon. Three of the adult dogs are pregnant. The seizure took place after four puppies who were sick with canine parvovirus, commonly known as “parvo,” were surrendered to the BC SPCA on Saturday, August 3. Sadly, two have died.
“Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious disease that requires intensive around-the-clock veterinary care,” says Eileen Drever, the BC SPCA’s senior officer protection and stakeholder relations. “Puppies are particularly susceptible and even with the best treatment, a good outcome is not guaranteed.” Drever says vaccinations and proper hygiene are keys to preventing it. “Unfortunately, the owner kept groups of dogs in pens that were not adequately cleaned and sanitized, with feces all over the floor.” Because of their living conditions, all the dogs that have been seized have been exposed to the virus.
Drever adds the pens were set up on the concrete floor of the garage with some wood chips and no bedding. There was diarrhea and vomit in many areas and the dog’s food and water dishes were contaminated with flies and wasps.
Animal protection officers were most disturbed by the discovery of a puppy less than two days old, alone in a wire cage with no bedding. “We have no idea why the puppy had been taken from their mother,” says Drever. “Puppies desperately need their mother’s milk to survive.”
Two of the adult females have post-whelping hair loss and all the adult dogs have matted hair and dental disease.
The BC SPCA began investigating the breeder after it received a call on the Animal Helpline from an individual who had purchased a puppy who soon became ill and succumbed to parvo. “This is another strong reminder that people need to do their homework when they make the decision to bring a puppy into their home and family,” says Drever. “You should always ask to see how the dogs and puppies are being housed and what condition they are in. No one should be supporting irresponsible breeders.”
As this is an ongoing investigation, it is not known when the dogs will be available for adoption.
A dedicated animal lover was so moved by the story of these dogs that they agreed to match donations up to $20,000 to their care.
Thank you to everyone who generously donated. We have secured all the match funds available.