“When I first saw Devon I honestly thought that she would not survive, her condition was so appalling. But when we brought her back to the shelter I could see a hope in her eyes. It was almost like she knew that we were going to help her.” - Catherine Croatto, RSPCA ACT Senior Inspector.
Devon Before
Poor Devon was found alone in the backyard of a Gordon property. When they first saw her, Inspectors were shocked that she even had the strength to stand. She was so emaciated every bone in her body was protruding. Her skeletal frame was made more prominent by her sunken eyes and hair loss over her entire body. A large ulcerated lump on the back of her neck oozed blood, pus, and a pungent smell.
I will never forget the moment we first saw Devon. Five animals were taken from the Gordon home but of all the animals seized, poor Devon had suffered the most. I happened to be standing in our parking lot when the Inspectors arrived at the Shelter. Our team rushed the animals past me to be attended by our vets. I stopped what I was doing when I saw Devon. I needed to know more.
I was told that she was a Doberman, but she was grey in colour without any hair and the skinniest dog that I had seen alive. She looked like a grey ghost, not the shiny black and golden dog she was meant to be. Upon examination, RSPCA ACT Vets gave her a body score of just 1/9 due to her skeletal frame. They found what appeared to be carpet remnants wedged between her teeth. In a desperate attempt to fill her stomach with something, anything, Devon had tried to eat whatever she could find.
A severe infestation of mites had left her completely hairless and her skin had scaled over in reaction. I can’t even imagine the constant itching and pain she experienced every single day. Despite her condition, Devon’s tail still wagged. Her body was so weak but this sweet girl had a strong spirit.
Devon’s recovery was long and slow. Every day she needed bathing in a medicated shampoo to help soothe and heal her infected skin. Every day she was given three meals to help nourish her body and bring her weight back to normal.
The infected lump on her neck had to be removed but we feared she was too weak to cope with surgery. Vets waited as long as they could but not knowing if the lump was dangerous they had no choice but to operate before Devon had fully recovered. Thankfully, the surgery went perfectly and not a moment too soon; the lump was discovered to be cancerous.
After the surgery, although she was recovering well, Devon started struggling with the shelter environment and was unable to put on weight. All the staff had fallen in love with this sweet girl but it was our Vet Nurse, Emma who decided to take her into her own home for foster care.
Today, Devon has made a full recovery. She has put on weight, her fur has started to grow back and she no longer looks anything like the grey ghost that entered the Shelter. As predicted Emma couldn’t bring herself to part with Devon and adopted Devon when the court proceedings were finalised almost a year later. Devon’s former owner pleaded guilty and was sentenced for nine offences under the Animal Welfare Act 1992 for failing to provide appropriate and adequate food and water, failing to seek veterinary treatment to alleviate pain and failing to provide adequate shelter for four dogs in her care.
Devon Today
Devon is just one of the animals we see come through our doors each day. All of these animals deserve the opportunity to heal and recover. It is because of supporters like you that we can give them just that.
Sadly, Devon’s case is just one of many we see at the RSPCA ACT shelter. The only reason we are able to help these animals is because of the generosity of the Canberra community. This Tax time, please consider giving a donation to RSPCA ACT. Your donation will support the work we do with animals just like Devon. Together, we can fight animal cruelty and neglect in our local area and give these animals the care and happy life they deserve.
Tammy Ven Dange,
CEO, RSPCA ACT