A husky found starved with a stomach full of gravel in Maple Ridge earlier this year is healthy enough to go home with an adoptive family, according to the SPCA.
Willow weighed just 15 kilograms when a Good Samaritan saved her from the side of a road on Jan. 31. After six weeks in the SPCA’s care, the young husky has grown to more than 24 kilograms, putting her in the normal weight range for a dog her size.
“She’s a completely different dog,” the SPCA’s Faydra Nichols said. “She loves to run and go for car rides and long walks by the river. She absolutely loves going into the water – it’s hard to keep her out!”
After learning about Willow’s story, many people came forward offering to give her a forever home, including the man who rescued her, fed her a Subway sandwich, and turned her over to the SPCA.
Nichols thanked everyone who offered to care for Willow, but said the SPCA had to choose carefully as the husky has some behavioural issues due to what she’s been through.
The organization did manage to locate a suitable family, and will be delivering Willow to them Monday afternoon.
“We were fortunate enough to find a family who has experience with this breed and they’re so happy to include Willow as a new, furry family member,” Nichols said.
SPCA cruelty investigators identified the dog’s owner as a 23-year-old Simon Fraser University student in February, and have recommended animal cruelty charges against him.
His name won’t be released unless charges are approved.
