BC SPCA’s North Cariboo animal centre in Prince George has an update on a dog that was found starving and confined in a crate in the dark.
The BC SPCA is reporting Luffy, the two-year-old pit bull terrier was surrendered to the BC SPCA in December after an animal protection officer found him confined to a crate in a dark basement, has been adopted into a loving home.
No one knows how long he had been kept that way, but when the BC SPCA animal protection officer looked closely, she could see that he was extremely emaciated; Luffy’s ribs and hip bones were clearly visible.
“We were so concerned about his condition that we transferred him to an emergency vet right away,” says Kristen Sumner, manager of the BC SPCA’s North Cariboo animal centre. “Luffy was so extremely starved, he could only be given food or water under a veterinarian’s care because of the risk to his brain and other organs.”
Luffy was in the emergency vet clinic for four days on IV fluids and was carefully administered calories. He was also treated for internal parasites.
Staff at the North Cariboo animal centre continued his refeeding plan under veterinary supervision and worked with him on his resource guarding and to build his trust. Once he had gained some weight, Luffy was transported to the BC SPCA’s Vancouver location as part of the Drive for Lives program.
That’s where Linda and her partner found him. They waited a year after their dog, Sadie a terrier mix, had passed to look for another dog to bring home.
“We had been searching the BC SPCA’s website for adoptable dogs. When I saw Luffy’s face, I immediately fell in love with him,” said Linda. They went into the Vancouver community animal centre the very next day to meet him.
“Luffy didn’t hesitate to lean in for some loving pets,” she said. “I didn’t have all the details, but I knew Luffy had some trauma in his past. I couldn’t believe how peaceful he was given what he had been through. He had the kindest eyes and seemed very soulful.”
Linda said that he has a heart shape on his nose and a patch on his side that also looks like a heart. “He is just pure love!” she added.
They submitted the adoption application and Luffy was soon on his way to live happily ever after with his new family.
Luffy is now called Baxter, and has settled in quickly. “He was a little reserved the first couple of days, but his silly side came out in no time. He is a huge fan of his new toys and he loves to grab one of his stuffies and run around the house and yard with it.”
