11 hours ago
Canberra RSPCA under strain after dogs give birth to 26 deformed puppies in three weeks
Backyard breeders and complacent pet owners are being put on notice after the RSPCA in Canberra was forced to euthanise puppies born with severe deformities.
The animal rescue group has reported a surge in heavily pregnant female dogs being surrendered to ACT facilities, with three mothers delivering 26 puppies between them in the last three weeks alone.
"I think the biggest challenge that we're seeing right now is the financial crisis," Rhiannon Kwateng from RSPCA ACT said.
"A lot of people just don't have the funds to do the things like de-sexing."
But unplanned pregnancies and backyard breeders are contributing to avoidable harmful outcomes among some newborn puppies, according to the RSPCA.
"We've seen unfortunately a little of puppies born where three of the puppies were born without the roof of their mouths and noses," Ms Kwateng said.
"Unfortunately, those puppies wouldn't be able to thrive, and they wouldn't be able to survive so we've had to kindly euthanise them."
That's on top of an unplanned litter of ten puppies surrendered to the facility in January who were diagnosed with parvo virus shortly after birth.
"That is such a deadly virus and very difficult to treat, especially for vulnerable newborn puppies," Ms Kwateng said.
"And we did have to make the decision to euthanise that litter of puppies."
Desexing costs start at a few hundred dollars but rise according to the size of the dog.
But without it, the burden can fall on rescue groups where resources are wearing thin.
The RSPCA ACT's Weston facility is currently caring for 280 animals — double the number at the same facility two years ago.
Ms Kwateng said it's a "massive stretch" on resources.
"When you have 40 puppies plus the existing adult dogs, it is constant work from the moment the team gets here to the moment they leave," she said.
"It's 60-plus mouths to feed, to clean, to socialise, to love, to walk, it's a massive challenge."
The facility is also struggling with a portion of its kennels currently out of operation because of a broken underground heating system, which the RSPCA said was crucial for vulnerable pets living through Canberra climates that drop well below zero.
But among the warnings, there are some happy endings.
Two puppies were adopted from an unplanned litter of nine were adopted on Saturday.
One of them, Hippo, went home with Forde couple Kane Rattley and Emma Hanlin.
"[He'll go] straight home, warm cuddle, heater on, cuddle up on the couch probably watching some movies getting him used to the new house," Mr Rattley said.
"We've looked at so many previously and looked online, but he's the only one where we've gone 'he's the one!'" Ms Hanlin said.
"You just kind of know."
The RSPCA said it was breaking the cycle of irresponsible pet ownership by desexing all of its puppies up for adoption.
