A dog rescue charity has launched an emotive appeal inspired by Heather, a young lurcher found pregnant and alone at just 13 months old.
Through the support of the Jerry Green Dog Rescue’s dedicated team, Heather successfully gave birth to nine puppies and embarked on a path towards a better life.
Now, the organisation is calling on the public to help more dogs like Heather to experience this profound transformation.
Her touching tale serves as a stark reminder of the adversity faced by many rescue dogs. Discovered as a stray, her life had been marred by neglect, abandonment, and starvation.
A kind passer-by brought her to a local vet where it was discovered she was not just undernourished and solitary – she was also pregnant. She was soon in the caring hands of Jerry Green Dog Rescue.
On arrival, Heather was “withdrawn and terrified”. It took the gentle and patient attention of the centre’s Dog Welfare Assistant, Laura, for her to begin to rebuild trust.
Laura said: “She was so scared when she arrived,” recounting their time together during Heather’s delivery. “But when the time came, she allowed me to stay with her. It was like she knew she wasn’t alone anymore.”
(Image: Jerry Green Dog Rescue)
In just an hour, Heather delivered five healthy puppies and, later that same day, she astonished everyone by giving birth to four more, making a total of nine – seven males and two females. However, this unexpected arrival of nine new lives has put a significant strain on the charity’s resources, as it costs up to £4,000 to care for just one dog from rescue to rehoming.
Jerry Green Dog Rescue is now appealing to its supporters and dog lovers everywhere to help them continue providing expert care to vulnerable dogs like Heather. The appeal asks for a £50 donation to bring together a community of supporters whose generosity helps fund one-to-one care from welfare specialists like Laura, allowing more dogs like Heather to start anew.
Christina Marriott, Chief Executive Officer at Jerry Green Dog Rescue, said: “Stories like Heather’s are at the heart of why we exist. She arrived scared and unsure of the world, but through love and expert care, she’s found safety, and her puppies have had the best possible start in life. But without public support, we simply couldn’t do this. That’s why we’re asking people to give generously, to help more dogs like Heather find peace, comfort and a future full of hope.”
To back the appeal and aid Jerry Green Dog Rescue in their mission to change lives like Heather’s, click here
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