TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – It’s a disturbing trend. Dogs being found after nearly being starved to death. A local rescue has taken in several dogs in that condition in just a matter of weeks. And we want to warn you that some of the images in this story may be upsetting.
Planned Pethood is a local rescue group that takes in hundreds of dogs and cats every year and helps find them a soft landing. Three dogs that have been taken in by the rescue in recent weeks are so thin, they look like walking skeletons. But thanks to the dogged determination of a lot of people, they all have a shot at a full recovery.
Akira was found by a Good Samaritan in Sylvania and she was eventually taken in by the rescue group in late December. She weighed just 30 pounds, less than half what she should.
“It’s heartbreaking. It takes your breath away and creates a high level of sadness,” Jennifer Herbert who is fostering Akira said.
Herbert is also the president of Planned Pethood.
“I feel like I can’t stand on the sidelines. I need to get in there and do something that makes a difference,” Herbert said.
At first, Herbert wasn’t sure that the young Doberman would make it.
“During the night, I would reach over just to make sure she was breathing,” Herbert said.
But in just a few weeks, Herbert said Akira has made remarkable progress.
“She had something in her that was saying, ‘I am a fighter, and I am going to continue to try to survive,’ even though the odds were stacked against her. When I first got her, we carried her up and down the stairs. Now she does that on her own. Her eyes get brighter every day. It is wonderful to see. But always in the back of your mind, your heart and prayers are with her to make a full recovery,” Herbert said.
Planned Pethood took in two other emaciated dogs this month. Like Akira, Star and Harlow were both found by Good Samaritans.
Dr. Brooke West is helping care for them. She owns Perrysburg Animal Hospital and West Toledo Animal Hospital. She said starvation is a slow process.
“It is just inhumane to watch a dog suffer without food, water and appropriate care,” Dr. West said.
Dr. West said getting healthy again is also a slow process. The dogs are fed every four hours.
“We have to slowly reintroduce food and it has to be a systematic process otherwise feeding them again in the wrong way can kill them. It is a good three to six months to get them back to normal and a healthy weight and lifestyle,” Dr. West said.
Those involved say one of the most important lessons from this is that if you need help with your pet, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
“Don’t be ashamed. Asking for help is actually a sign of strength. I have learned that personally. It’s hard to do, but you’re doing it because you’re responsible for somebody else. So take on that responsibility and do the right thing,” Herbert said.
Despite being not much more than skin and bones, Dr. West says the three dogs have a good shot at a full recovery. “They all look to be doing very well with the process and seem to be responding.”
One of the most remarkable things for Dr. West about this story is that the people who are helping these dogs volunteer their time.
“It is heroic to me. I love to see it, I applaud them in every way. And it’s really just something magical,” Dr. West said.
All three dogs will be up for adoption once they’ve fully recovered.
As you heard, Planned Pethood is a volunteer organization, so it’s always in need of food, supplies, cash donations and fosters.
If you’d like to learn more, click here.
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