Starving dog ate rubber bands in desperation, shelter says. Now he's ‘full of life'

Miami Herald

25-06-2025

A dog who was suffering from starvation is now happily waiting for a brand new home, a Philadelphia shelter said.
Meet Slim Jim, a 3-year-old pit bull mix who lived a very hard life so far — but you wouldn't be able to tell by his cheerful demeanor.
'When Slim Jim arrived at an animal hospital in Northumberland County as a stray, he was barely clinging to life,' the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a June 20 Facebook post.
'His bones jutted out under his skin and his eyes were dull from exhaustion and pain.'
Because he was so hungry, Slim Jim had been seeking out unsuitable things to consume.
'He was completely emaciated, scoring a 5/5 on the Tufts Animal Care and Condition scale. He was starving. So starving, in fact, that he had been eating rubber bands and other household garbage,' the shelter said.
'We discovered that Slim Jim was battling more than just hunger. He had ear infections, intestinal parasites, Lyme disease, and painful arthritis. This suffering wasn't new. It had been going on for some time.'
It was discovered that while the dog was fending for himself, he actually had an owner, the shelter said.
'After taking him in, we were able to locate his owner, who admitted they had not provided Slim Jim with veterinary care,' staff said. 'So we did.'
The SPCA put Slim Jim on a refeeding plan that ended up turning his life around.
'Today, Slim Jim is full of life. He is a happy pup who is grateful for his second chance and is finally on the search for a forever home,' the shelter said.
The SPCA posted a video of the happy pup on June 20, showing that even though he's still young, his body is 'more reminiscent of a senior dog.' His ability to love completely hasn't been shattered, however.
For more information, visit the shelter's website.