A message was posted on another board asking what happened to the Tofino pup, and I decided to post the questions and responses here, to keep people informed. I don't want to lose this dog in the SPCA system.
Following are the posts:
Tofino Pup
Posted on 3/23/2003 at 07:58:08 AM by Anonymous
The Tofino Pup is seized and now how is it doing? Where is it? Is it in foster? Has it been assessed? Is it safe? We hear so much and then silence. Some of us are worried.
Re(1): Tofino Pup
Posted on 3/24/2003 at 10:20:44 AM by Crystal
The Tofino pup was finally seized after months of suffering. She was seized upon non-compliance by the owner to treat the demodectic mange that she was suffering from and also malnutrition. This was a growing pup who was found to be losing weight. Typical chained dog syndrome - out of sight, out of mind. The good news is that she was finally seized after much correspondence between myself, other concerned Tofino residents and the SPCA, and due to this continuing follow up, she was not forgotten and finally seized! We are all extremely relieved.
The latest update that I have received is that "Missy" is an extremely sweet, friendly and social young dog who is receiving vet treatment (Ivermectin) for the mange and gaining weight. She is currently at the Port Alberni SPCA and although offers of foster have been made, the staff prefers to keep her in the shelter until the treatment is finished. It's unfortunate that she won't be placed in a foster home while undergoing treatment because this type of mange, which is non-contagious, is worsened by stress and is indicative of an over-stressed, weakened immune system. Having said that, this sweet dog is now receiving more attention, food and care than she has in her entire life up to the point of seizure, and I can imagine that she is happier and healthier, even in the Port Alberni shelter than she has ever been.
I haven't been told what her status is with respect to her "owners", or how likely it is that they will be able get Missy back. Hopefully the shelter costs will be prohibitive to her returning back into this situation (in other words, the owners can't afford or be bothered to buy her back), and hopefully the SPCA uses good judgement and refuses to allow Missy back into the same environment that has shown itself to be extremely neglectful and the cause of such suffering.
When Missy completes the Ivermectin treamtent and if the owners do not get her back, she will be available for adoption. I have asked for an exact date, but was not given this information (my request to see Missy was also refused), so based on my own calculations which correspond to the date Missy was seized and the completion of her medication treatment, she should be up for adoption around May 17th.
For Missy's complete story, including her seizure please go to the Animal Advocates Society website.
Thank you for such support and caring on behalf of this sweet dog - its such relief not to see her chained up day in day out, during the rain and wind storms we have here. She was only a couple of months old when she was first spotted huddled up without shelter in the rain, and she spent her entire puppyhood on the end of a chain, during some terribly cold days and nights, completely ignored by the people who owned her. Her owners have a history of neglectful dog ownership (the Port Alberni SPCA has been called to this address to investigate neglect complaints on previous dogs they have owned). I only hope these people don't pick up another to tie in the back and forget about.
Re(2): Tofino Pup
Posted on 3/24/2003 at 05:33:00 PM by Anonymous
Yes, she is marginally better off. I do not understand the reluctance to foster her though. Also not letting you see her.
I can hardly wait until the BCSPCA finally fhinks of the animal first. Perhaps someday.
Re(2): Tofino Pup
Posted on 3/24/2003 at 05:26:00 PM by mike
Crystal, I am so happy to hear that Missy is out of there and doing well at the Port Alberni SPCA shelter. I am glad to know that she is getting the treatment she needs but a little surprised that you haven't been allowed to see her after all the effort that you have put in on her behalf. Maybe they will let you see her after she has been there a little while longer. I certainly hope so.
Re(3): Tofino Pup
Posted on 3/25/2003 at 07:42:35 AM by Crystal
I was disappointed that I couldn't see Missy as well. I'd really love to get the chance to see her for myself, especially now that she's not in such a miserable state. The shelter manager told me that no one, including me, could see her until she was up for adoption.
Re(4): Tofino Pup
Posted on 3/25/2003 at 09:25:25 AM by Bev Davis
Will any effort be made to ensure these people do not simply get yet another dog to chain in the back yard?