Tied-up in a fabric shopping bag and dumped in the rubbish — that’s how 10 puppies were left to die in Auckland last year.
They were found by a rubbish truck driver while they were completing a round in Papakura and Hunua.
The driver was starting to compact the rubbish load in the truck when they heard a noise, leading to the puppies’ discovery.
Out of the 10 dumped, four survived. But now almost one year later, three of them, named Milo, Missy and Maui, have reunited.
The Saving Hope Foundation worked to rehome the puppies.
Maui’s new owner Anita D’anvers said the dog is well-behaved and has “slotted” right into the family. D’anvers daughter Imogen said he is a “very good dog”.
Janine Hinton of the Saving Hope Foundation said puppies are still being dumped in New Zealand.
“If you don’t want them, ask for help or take them to a vet and say you found them if you don’t want to own up.
“We need major desexing … every year in rescuing has gotten harder … it is not slowing down… I don’t see an end to this crisis.”
D’anvers added the foundation is great to work with, and some dogs even choose the family they will belong to.
“You’re getting these dogs which are really well-adjusted that actually choose you, and I think that’s a huge part of it too and their settling in.”
Hinton said when dogs come into their care and are fighting for their lives, “we will fight with them”.
She added the foundation’s vet bills add up to about $70,000 per month, and that is a “lot of money to find” as they are not funded.
“Without our supporters, fosters, admin, and amazing people like these that adopt our dogs, we couldn’t do it. We’re one big family.
“Any donations, even a dollar, makes such a difference to us.”
