When the BC SPCA rescued Noelle, a pregnant Australian shepherd, she was chained to a wall in a freezing cold basement with no heating or insulation.
She was surrounded by feces and urine, with some dirty towels, according to BC SPCA spokesperson Eileen Drever.
“This poor mom was in an area of the basement that had been separated by plywood and fencing,” says Drever.
The pregnant pooch was taken to a veterinarian, and gave birth to seven healthy puppies at the BC SPCA's Kelowna animal centre.
Home at last
Noelle and her seven puppies have found a home with Martyn and Linda, who have been BC SPCA fosters for more than 16 years.
"Seven is not a big deal, not after you have fostered a mom and 13 puppies," says Martyn in a statement.
The longtime foster says Noelle is one of the best they have fostered.
“She feeds them, cleans them and even cleans up after them, which we haven’t seen in other moms we have had in our home."
And like any hangry pet, the seven puppies, who grow loud around mealtime, return to their quiet and peaceful personalities afterwards.
“They are big, fuzzy, chubby balls of healthy puppy,” says Martyn.
“They love to follow me around. It is very difficult to walk when seven puppies are trying to sit on your feet.”
Once Noelle has recovered she'll be available for adoption. As for the puppies, the BC SPCA says "soon."
