Injured puppy found abandoned in box – where is she now? - BC SPCA
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Injured puppy found abandoned in box – where is she now?

June 2, 2023

Tia, a six-week-old German shepherd mix, was found abandoned in a box hidden in the bushes of a park in Burnaby with her brother, Koda. The pair was found by a good Samaritan who immediately brought them to the Burnaby BC SPCA.

“Tia and Koda were frightened and cold when they first arrived,” says Nicole McBain, manager of the BC SPCA’s Burnaby animal centre. “After we were able to warm them up, they got much more comfortable and started behaving like puppies.”

The pair were taken to an emergency veterinary hospital where it was determined that Tia had numerous health issues. They were transferred to the Richmond BC SPCA where they had an available foster. “Tia had an injured front leg and an infection related to the injury, as well as gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea,” says Krista Shaw, manager of the BC SPCA’s Richmond animal centre. The cause of the injured leg is unknown, but trauma was  suspected. Koda was in good health.

How is Tia doing now?

“When we first got Tia, she was skin and bones,” says Selena who is fostering Tia and planning to apply to adopt her once Tia is ready.  “She is on a refeeding plan and has been filling out and gaining weight. She is growing very quickly. We are also doing some training with her.  She is very intelligent. She has learned to walk through my legs and to sit and stay. She loves to play fetch.”

Selena adds that one of Tia’s favourite things are yak milk chews. “When we take them away from her, and tell her ‘no’, she tries to grab it and run off with it. It becomes a game for her.”

Tia’s world has changed so much since she has been in Selena’s care. “We have taken her on some small hikes with our other dog Tikka,” says Selena. Tikka is an eight-year-old Shiba-Inu who has a very calm demeanour. “Tia really responds to the calm energy Tikka brings to our home. The pair love to cuddle. Tia has brought out the puppy in Tikka.”

Selena is still working on other puppy projects with Tia. “We have been crate training her. She is pretty good, whines for the first couple of minutes when she is put into the crate, but then she sleeps.” She adds that the potty training is going well. “I am really impressed with her progress.”

“Tia is one of the best dogs I have ever had,” says Selena. “When I was growing up our family rescued a seven-year-old German shepherd collie mix who lived to be 20. Tia reminds me of her. We can hardly wait until Tia gets a little older and we can take her hiking and camping. She is so friendly to everyone we introduce her to. I look forward to a long life with her.”

Two puppies found abandoned in box in Burnaby park

Original story: April 18, 2023

The two six-week-old German shepherd mix puppies were found by a good Samaritan abandoned in a box hidden in the bushes of Burnaby’s Byrne Creek Park. The siblings, a male and a female, were immediately brought to the BC SPCA in Burnaby and then transferred to the SPCA’s community animal centre in Richmond, where there was a foster home available.

“Tia and Koda were frightened and cold when they first arrived,” says Nicole McBain, manager of the BC SPCA’s Burnaby animal centre. “After we were able to warm them up, they got much more comfortable and started behaving more like puppies.”

Koda and Tia; Tia.

The pair were taken to an emergency veterinary hospital where it was determined that the female puppy had numerous health issues. “Tia has an injured front leg and an infection related to the injury, as well as gastrointestinal issues including diarrhea,” says Krista Shaw, manager of the BC SPCA’s Richmond animal centre. The cause of the injured leg is unknown but trauma is suspected. Koda, Tia’s brother, is in good health.

“Since being in our care, little Tia has blossomed,” says Shaw. “She is the sweetest, most snuggly girl. She is growing more confident every day and loves to be around people.” Tia will be available for adoption in approximately two weeks.

To help cover the costs of Tia’s treatment, Petsecure* will match up to $3,500 in donations.

*Supported by a grant from Definity Insurance Foundation, with funding from the Definity Insurance Company.

UPDATE: more than 150 cats taken into BC SPCA care as Houston rescue continues

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