From Rescued to Rehomed: Cooper's Story

Rescued via our Inspectorate, two puppies came into the care of our Nelson Centre earlier this year. While both were worryingly underweight, one was far smaller and more malnourished than the other.

Our team nicknamed the pair Mickey and Mouse, with Mouse being the smaller of the two brothers.

Weighing in at just 3.25kg at about four months of age, Mouse was clearly in a very bad way.

“You could see his ribs and hip bones, and he was a very sad little puppy,” says Amy, our Nelson Centre Manager. “He was just fragile, weak and so scared. His brother had more energy, but this little one didn’t. You could tell he was a sweet pup, but due to his health we couldn’t see the true colours of his personality.”

Over his first couple of days at the Centre, the team were very concerned that this tiny boy might not have the strength to pull through.

He wasn’t gaining weight, and he was lethargic, dehydrated and anaemic. So that he could be closely monitored, he was transferred to Nelson Vets for a night of hospitalisation. After receiving some fluids, and with initial tests out of the way, his chances of recovery looked a lot better.

“Ultimately the vets decided that he must have had a very heavy hookworm burden, which resulted in him not getting the nutrients he needed to grow,” says Amy. “He needed six small meals a day, and we needed to mix water into these meals as he wasn’t drinking on his own yet.

“We kept up with the strict feeding guide, and with his flea and worm treatments and vaccinations all done, things started to improve.”

While the small pup was on the mend, our team knew that he still required a high level of care, and would benefit from an experienced foster home.

Amy said there were limited fosters available at the time, so the team needed to look at staff availability.

“I have taken a few puppies and dogs home before for a couple of nights out of the Centre, so I knew I could make it work,” says Amy. “It started off as a temporary thing, but each night, I found myself taking him home again.”

As he’d started to grow stronger, Amy changed his name to Cooper, and he became very comfortable with his new loving foster.

“He settled in very well! With indoor cats at my house, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go. But at the beginning, Cooper was smaller than the cats, which I think helped them realise he wasn’t going to hurt them,” Amy says. “He was always incredibly gentle and had no interest in chasing them.”

Amy says it was wonderful to see his personality start to shine.

“He blossomed into an energetic and clever wee pup, learning all the tricks! He’s very treat-orientated, and always politely sits in front of anyone who looks like they might have treats on them. He's already made two dog best friends; Murphy and Wren, who he enjoys running around with at the dog beach, park or backyard.”

After a month of foster care with Amy, Cooper had come a long way. The once malnourished, scared pup was now thriving, healthy and playful, and it was clear to everyone that a very special bond had formed between the two of them.

“He would follow me around the SPCA office, and everyone could see that I was Cooper’s mum,” says Amy.

“I remember having a conversation with Kasia, our Canine Attendant, about when we could put him up for adoption – and I thought: “Oh no, I don’t think I can let him go!”

With Cooper having settled into Amy’s home and lifestyle so wonderfully, she made the decision to adopt him. This is what we at SPCA call a 'foster fail'!

“I had ultimately fallen in love with him. He was a very special pup that I’d loved watching grow stronger each day, and I wanted to continue experiencing that. He is a fighter.”

At SPCA, we’re always keen to hear from those who are interested in fostering an animal. Cats, dog, rabbits, farm animals – there are all kinds of animals in our care around the country who require a safe, loving home while they wait to be adopted.

“Fostering for SPCA is such an awesome experience,” says Amy. “You know that you are making such a huge difference for each animal you foster.”

“There is a different fostering experience for everyone, as each animal has different needs and requirements. SPCA couldn't do this without our dedicated foster carers and volunteers, and because of them we get to give many animals a second chance at life.

“And who knows - you might end up like me and have the classic "Foster Fail" experience, where you find your fur-ever buddy!”

You can learn more about fostering and sign up online.