Burt is one of 23 dogs whom we transported from Greenville, South Carolina, where the HSUS staged rescue operations following Hurricane Joaquin and requested our help, to Richmond, Virginia. He is now lovingly being cared for by our dedicated animal care and veterinary teams. When Burt arrived at our Robins-Starr Humane Center late on October 13, a clean kennel with a soft bed was waiting for him.
The following morning our veterinary team examined Burt and the other new arrivals. Burt’s skin was particularly irritated with scarring and hair loss on his face and ears as well as heavy debris in his ears. Flea treatment significantly improved his comfort and the redness and other signs of inflammation are beginning to fade. The brindle and white Staffordshire terrier mix is thought to be about 8 years old and has severe dental disease. Many of Burt’s teeth are missing, fractured and severely worn. During his dental procedure, fortunately only one tooth required extraction, and while he was sedated a cytology was performed on his ears which were treated and thoroughly cleaned.
Burt has endeared himself to many at the Richmond SPCA, including a Running Buddies volunteer who takes him on weekly 3 mile runs. Because of low white blood cell count and anemia, which have since been resolved, Burt was not immediately available for adoption. As the veterinary team awaited further lab results, the behavior and training staff provided him daily enrichment and continue to teach him new skills. The trainers soon discovered that although he is deaf, Burt responds quickly to positive reinforcement and is learning hand signals for basic commands.
Like more than 2,900 pets this year, all of Burt's veterinary treatment at the Richmond SPCA has been provided thanks to generous contributions to our Cinderella Fund. For 17 years, we have raised money for this fund at our annual Fur Ball. This year's Fur Ball is on Saturday, Nov. 7 and will ensure that thousands more needy pets like Burt who arrive with illnesses or injuries will be given the lifesaving treatment and rehabilitation required to prepare them for happy futures in loving homes. You can support the Cinderella Fund by purchasing Fur Ball Raffle tickets.
This week Burt got his own Living Room in our adoption center where he eagerly awaits visitors, just in time for Adopt a Senior Pet Month. Though November brings special attention to the wonderful qualities of senior pets, the Richmond SPCA celebrates our older residents year round and offers a special adoption incentive to older adults who take home a companion 5 years or older. Adopters who are age 60 and up qualify for our Seniors for Seniors adoption program. We are confident he will meet his match very soon!
Tabitha Frizzell Treloar is the director of advancement of the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires both your first and last name to be used as your screen name.
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