From Rescued to Rehomed: Abandoned in a washing basket

One cold morning in January, Canine Team Lead Christina expected a relatively normal day when she pulled up to Hastings Centre. But when she arrived, she noticed a washing basket sitting next to the Centre gate. She immediately jumped out to investigate, worried about what she might find.

Sadly, her suspicions were confirmed when two little heads popped out, followed by several more. After a quick head count, Christina found that she had seven tiny puppies at her feet seeking out warmth and comfort.

“Our shelter is located on a busy road, and everywhere I moved, they followed,” Christina said. She flagged her nearby team members down through the gate, and together, they brought all seven puppies indoors where they would be safe and warm.

After undergoing health checks, the puppies were settled into the next step in their journey – growing up with the help of SPCA. Due to Centre capacity and resource, three of them were transferred to the Napier Centre to continue their care and preparation for adoption. Despite our team’s best efforts, one puppy sadly didn’t pull through. But the other two, Dora and Diego, made great progress. Diego has found his family, and Dora is still looking for hers!

Dora and Diego’s Napier care team tell us that these puppies are “very special indeed.” Dora was a “nervous, timid wee soul” when she arrived, says Canine Attendant Jess. Although she stood up to her brothers often, people and noises were scary. But now, she's come out of her shell! She has a playful and energetic nature and loves to explore – just like her namesake. “Her antics often lead to fits of laughter from the staff. She is the boss of yard and makes sure to keep even our big dogs in line,” Jess tells us.

And the rest of their siblings in Hastings? “I've had the pleasure of caring for the remaining four puppies, and each one has brought unique joy to my life,” says Christina. “They're currently learning basic training, and I'm so grateful to have them.”

Their human carers weren’t the only ones looking out for the puppies left at Hastings Centre. Tigger, another dog available for adoption, took on what Centre staff affectionately dubbed an “uncle” role, hanging out with the puppies and teaching them how to be the best dogs they can be.

Chloe and Athena, though shy at first, both came out of their shells with the help of their beloved uncle. “Chloe has a heart of gold and endless love to give to a family, and Athena is a confident girl who’s ready to take on the world,” Christina told us. Since then, they’ve both found their forever homes!

Zeus and Hestia are the final puppies waiting for their forever homes in Hastings – and Christina is crossing her fingers that their adoption days aren’t too far away.

"Zeus is a happy boy who will the happy feet dance when he sees you, or when food is coming,” says Christina. “And Hestia is a little tiger-striped girl, the most mellow any cuddly pup you might find!”

"They came to us to have a second chance in life,” says Christina, “to be protected, loved, and wanted. And it's somethingI’m so happy SPCA and I can achieve for them. I love them all like my own.”

Apply through the Hastings and Napier Centres if you think Zeus, Hestia, or Dora could be the puppies that complete your family. Read up on their adoption profiles on our site!