Smart dog...

Just a quick update for everyone who has been following Polly's progress, Polly is settling in really well but is getting a little frustrated being confined most of the day. Polly is a very clever little dog & has worked out that if she tips her water bowl over in the cage she then gets taken out so guess what?? Our poor canine attendants are now trying to find an non tip water bowl for Polly as she does it three to four time a day. Very clever!!

Polly's surgery wound is healing well & she is having physiotherapy three time a day to keep the leg moving & keep the blood circulating through the muscles & tissue. Polly loves her physiotherapy & lies there enjoying all the attention & then demanding more. Many thanks to all the people who have sent in adoption application forms & once Polly has been given the all clear we will be working our way through all the applications. Hopefully this will be in mid January & we will keep updating you with stories of Polly and photos.

Back in the SPCA

Auckland SPCA Canine Team Leader Max Bundred helps Polly out of the SPCA van, while Inspector Todd Neal (aka Polly's Private Chauffeur) looks on.

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Inspector Todd gives Max the low-down on required treatment for Polly.

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Polly is underwhelmed by the attention she's not getting while people are talking.

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Polly thinks this is much better - 'it's all about me!'

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'Carry me...?'

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Back at her second home at the SPCA for some serious R&R and TLC while she recuperates.

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Voice of the public

Here are some of the comments we've received from members of the public, via our website:

My name is Steve from Christchurch. My wife and I have followed the media trail of Polly when I first read about it in the Sunday paper. We woluld love to have Polly after the SPCA has finished her operation etc. I know CHC is a little ways away but Polly would be very very well cared for. As children we had a family German Shepherd and would love to have one again. I think CHC would be far nicer and safer than AKL. We live down by the airport just around the corner from Burnside park. I know you have plenty of offers for Polly and we would love to be considered. Thank you for your time.

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Hi i just read about the poor dog in Auckland found hanging in a garage on stuff.co.nz it had a link to help by donating some money, I dont have alot so only donated $5 but every little bit helps. I have a spoilt rotten awesome wee bichon whom i adore. She has lots of toys and treats etc Shes over most of her toys after a while and i actually threw some away a while ago from when she was a pup- i would in future prefer to donate them & some biscuits etc to the SPCA i honestly didnt know that yous needed or even wanted stuff like that i wish i knew ages ago! I dont live in a town that has an SPCA so i would like an address/s to send stuff to when i have things to give away. Im pretty peaved that the darn government doesnt fund yous like i assumed they did. Thank you! Casey

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I was in total shock and sadness after reading an article in the Sunday Star Times 16 November 2008 about Polly the injured puppy. I can’t begin to imagine how someone could be so cruel and inhumane to any animal but even more so to just a puppy. I must say Polly’s photo in the paper shows a brave happy inquisitive puppy face one that could win affections of us all. I am the proud owner of a female 10year old huntaway/collie/blue healer called Gemma who is most dearest to me and my family and best friend. Gemma travels to work each day with me and is a fantastic companion. A dog truly is man’s best friend Gemma is a testimony of that.

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I know that Polly will be in fantastic hands with the brilliant caring staff of the SPCA and her recovery and loving care by you will I am sure renew Polly’s belief man is worthy of affection. I was so moved by the story that I have made a donation towards your cause and feel ashamed that I have not done sooner. I hope I have not been the only one to respond to this tragedy and I wish to pass on my thoughts to Polly and also of the kind staff at the SPCA. I would be extremely happy for you to consider me as a new home for Polly and would be happy to meet and fill out any required forms to be considered to adopt that stunning German Sheppard Polly. My Best Wishes, Dave

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You have probably been inundated by now with offers to home Polly, if and when he has been operated on. We have been looking adopt a German Shepherd and when I came to your website today I saw the story on Polly. I really am praying that she can be successfully operated on and I would like to let you know of our very keen interest to adopt Polly. Kind Regards, Kate

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I wanted to find out if I can make a donation online towards Polly's surgery? Such a horrible story but I'm glad she can have the operation and wish her all the best. She's a brave little thing :) Kind regards,Gemma

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Please give Polly a BIG hug and tell her that there are a lot of people who care for her and want her to live a long and happy life with people who will protect her from harm and offer her a loving environment. This kind of cruelty should never have of happend to such a young and beautiful soul and my heart goes out to her. Im anxiously awaiting news on her condition, as I would like to contribute to her surgery. Sending warmth and love, Leanne

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Please give Polly a BIG cuddle from us - she looks such a darling - thankfully she is now safe with you.

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My thoughts and best wishes are with you Polly, you are a brave little girl who has gone through the most horrific ordeal - I wish you all the best with your surgery and relief from your pain and hurt. You deserve so much to make a full recovery and to have a long and happy life. Thank you to the SPCA for all you have done to help Polly and the ongoing help you provide for all animals in need. all the best, Martin

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All the best Polly! Hope you recover very soon and you're up and about enjoying being a puppy :)

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Congratulations for your wonderful job. God bless you.

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Wishing Polly well and sending our love. I wish we could donate more, however, we hope this will help contribute to Polly's recovery. Warmth and Love, Leanne

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A donation towards Polly's surgery and ongoing care. I hope a lovely home is found for her as she deserves the very best out of life.

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A little bit of help for this poor dog and others like her-do hope her op is a success-well done to you all who work for the SPCA.

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Best wishes Polly for a speedy recovery and a happy future filled with lots of love, hugs and kisses. Big hugs also from Jenna our adorable nearly 9 year old German Shephard.

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I am a kiwi currently living in Melbourne but I always check the NZ news websites on a daily basis. Even though I don't live in NZ I still like to support my country and its inhabitants and Polly deserves this support. :)

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Well done Polly and well done the team at the SPCA. My husband and I have adopted 2 wonderful cats from the SPCA and we couldn't imagine our lives without them. Heaps of love and hugs to all of you.

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Good luck Polly! What a gorgeous wee girl!

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Thank you for doing the great work that you all do. Big hugs to Polly and I hope she makes a speedy and successful recovery!

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Good luck to Polly and all the wonderful SPCA staff.

Adoption

We've been getting a lot of emails from people, expressing an interest in adopting Polly. We really appreciate the interest, so here's a link to our Dog Adoption Questionnaire on our wesbsite in Adobe Reader PDF format. It's early days, yet, but if you wish to make an application to adopt Polly, please download the form, complete it and send/fax to:


Tracy Dunn, Operations Manager
Auckland SPCA
PO Box 43221
Mangere, Manukau 2153
Fax: 09 2567314

Please ensure you include Polly's name on the application.

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We have been overwhelmed by people wishing to donate towards Polly's surgery and ongoing care during her recovery period. People have been passing on their best wishes and others have been enquiring about adopting Polly.

We would like to thank and acknowledge all of those people, and anyone wishing to make a donation to the Auckland SPCA for Polly and the other animals in our care, can send it to:
Auckland SPCA, Freepost 189573 (or PO Box 43 221), Mangere, Manukau 2153

Please ensure that you include Polly's name on the donation so it can go directly to her recovery fund. Please also note that any donations received over and above the cost of Polly's surgery and recovery costs will be utilised in the treatment and care of the thousands of other animals we receive each year. Donations can also be made online via our website here.

For all e-mail enquiries about Polly please contact our Operations Manager Tracy Dunn on 09 2567318 or by email tracy.dunn@spca.org.nz.

We will continue updating this blog through each stage of Polly's journey.

Post-surgery news

Great news about Polly! We've just heard from the veterinary clinic that Polly has had her surgery and it went extremely well.

The surgeon is very pleased with the outcome and will be keeping Polly under observation and in recovery at their clinic. We hope that she will be transferred back to the Auckland SPCA on Friday (21st November).

The Auckland SPCA would like to offer our sincere thanks to the wonderful staff at Veterinary Specialist Group (VSG) and special thanks to Polly's surgeon Richard Jerram, all of whom have done such a wonderful job looking after this great little dog and getting her back on the road to recovery.

Donations and Auctions

Thanks very much to everyone who's been generous and donated towards Polly's operation and her ongoing medical, foster, food, and possible prosecution costs. We can't do these things without your support!

Shiree, a terrific supporter of the Auckland SPCA, has organised a charity auction on TradeMe (auction number 188564544) to raise funds for Polly's ongoing care, plus to help the other animals here at the Auckland SPCA. Here's the full url to check it out:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Pets-animals/Other/auction-188564544.htm

On behalf of Polly, we'd like to say a big thank you to Shiree - you rock! - and also to all those TradeMe members who support the SPCA.

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We have been overwhelmed by people wishing to donate towards Polly's surgery and ongoing care during her recovery period. People have been passing on their best wishes and others have been enquiring about adopting Polly.

We would like to thank and acknowledge all of those people, and anyone wishing to make a donation to the Auckland SPCA for Polly and the other animals in our care, can send it to:

Auckland SPCA, Freepost 189573 (or PO Box 43 221), Mangere, Manukau 2153

Please ensure that you include Polly's name on the donation so it can go directly to her recovery fund. Please also note that any donations received over and above the cost of Polly's surgery and recovery costs will be utilised in the treatment and care of the thousands of other animals we receive each year. Donations can also be made online via our website here.

For all e-mail enquiries about Polly please contact our Operations Manager Tracy Dunn on 09 2567318 or by email tracy.dunn@spca.org.nz.

We will continue updating this blog through each stage of Polly's journey.

Great news for Polly

Imagination Television who produce the television series Animal House, have generously donated $ 4,000 towards Polly's operation. On behalf of Polly, we'd like to give a big thank you to everyone Imagination Television for helping us out. You guys rock!

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We have been overwhelmed by people wishing to donate towards Polly's surgery and ongoing care during her recovery period. People have been passing on their best wishes and others have been enquiring about adopting Polly.

We would like to thank and acknowledge all of those people, and anyone wishing to make a donation to the Auckland SPCA for Polly and the other animals in our care, can send it to:

Auckland SPCA, Freepost 189573 (or PO Box 43 221), Mangere, Manukau 2153

Please ensure that you include Polly's name on the donation so it can go directly to her recovery fund. Please also note that any donations received over and above the cost of Polly's surgery and recovery costs will be utilised in the treatment and care of the thousands of other animals we receive each year. Donations can also be made online via our website here.

For all e-mail enquiries about Polly please contact our Operations Manager Tracy Dunn on 09 2567318 or by email tracy.dunn@spca.org.nz.

We will continue updating this blog through each stage of Polly's journey.

Polly's surgery

Polly has suffered a fracture of the left femoral head involving the growth cartilage. She is only five months old, so due to her age and the fact that the condition is chronic, the only treatment option is a femoral head and neck ostectomy (FHO).

During the surgery the top part of the femur (the head and the neck) is removed, effectively shortening the leg. This procedure is the best option for Polly and is aimed at providing pain relief for this type of fracture and still providing her with a good quality of life.

Polly will be on pain relief for a period of time after surgery and then will be looked after at the Auckland SPCA or in a foster home for a 6 -8 week recovery period.

Dogs usually recover well after this surgery and Polly will have relief from the chronic pain she has had to endure since the injury was sustained. She may suffer from a slight limp after recovery but will hopefully lead a long and fulfilled life after being given a second chance.

We have been overwhelmed by people wishing to donate towards Polly's surgery and ongoing care during her recovery period. People have been passing on their best wishes and others have been enquiring about adopting Polly.

We would like to thank and acknowledge all of those people, and anyone wishing to make a donation to the Auckland SPCA for Polly and the other animals in our care, can send it to:

Auckland SPCA
Freepost 189573 (or PO Box 43 221)
Mangere, Manukau 2153

Please ensure that you include Polly's name on the donation so it can go directly to her recovery fund. Please also note that any donations received over and above the cost of Polly's surgery and recovery costs will be utilised in the treatment and care of the thousands of other animals we receive each year.

Donations can also be made online via our website here.

For all e-mail enquiries about Polly please contact our Operations Manager Tracy Dunn on 09 2567318 or by email tracy.dunn@spca.org.nz.

We will continue updating this blog through each stage of Polly's journey.

Polly is a candidate for surgery

The Auckland SPCA is very pleased to announce that Polly, the recently rescued German Shepherd puppy, has been considered a viable candidate for surgical repair for the injuries sustained during an act of unbelievable cruelly.

Polly was brought to the SPCA by Inspector Todd Neil after being tied by her back legs & hung off the ground in a garage. She sustained some serious injuries to her back leg and hip, and was being examined and x-rayed at a specialist clinic yesterday.

The outcome is that Polly will undergo specialist surgery tomorrow morning and then will need a period of time to recuperate from her operation.

We have been overwhelmed by people wishing to donate towards Polly's surgery and ongoing care during her recovery period. People have been passing on their best wishes and others have been enquiring about adopting Polly.

We would like to thank and acknowledge all of those people, and anyone wishing to make a donation to the Auckland SPCA for Polly and the other animals in our care, can send it to:

Auckland SPCA, Freepost 189573 (or PO Box 43 221), Mangere, Manukau 2153

Please ensure that you include Polly's name on the donation so it can go directly to her recovery fund. Please also note that any donations received over and above the cost of Polly's surgery and recovery costs will be utilised in the treatment and care of the thousands of other animals we receive each year.

Donations can also be made online via our website here.

For all e-mail enquiries about Polly please contact our Operations Manager Tracy Dunn on 09 2567318 or by email tracy.dunn@spca.org.nz.

We will continue updating this blog through each stage of Polly's journey.

Puppy with broken leg left hanging in garage

A badly injured puppy may have to be put to sleep after she was left dangling upside-down in a garage, choking on her lead, in an horrific case of animal cruelty.

The puppy was hogtied with industrial tape and her leg was badly broken, most likely by a blow from a blunt instrument, says Auckland SPCA Inspector Todd Neal.

Inspector Neal says the case is the most bizarre he's seen, but the SPCA has no proof who caused the injuries, so it is unlikely to be able to prosecute.

He dubbed the five month-old german shepherd "Polly", after Apollo St in Warkworth, north of Auckland, where she was found in a garage beside an empty house. Neighbours told Inspector Neal that they followed the puppy's howls to the unlocked garage, at about 11pm on November 4 [more...]