Terrified Collie Pups settling in at Donegal Animals in Need

It is rarely a case of rescuing an animal and simply finding them a new home.

Many of the cats and dogs taken in by Animals In Need (AIN) need weeks, or even months, of medical care or socialisation before they are ready for adoption.

Two collie pups rescued from the Letterkenny Pound last month are a prime example of this.

The sisters were only about four months old but were semi-feral and terrified of everything, hiding anywhere they could when they arrived at their AIN foster home and baring their teeth if approached, due to fear.

In addition, they were seriously underweight, very dirty and suffering from mange.

Pregnant Muffin has large mammary growths

A month later and there has been a remarkable change in them.

They have been treated for all medical issues and their fur is growing back, but even more importantly, they have begun to trust humans.

Although they are still slightly nervous around strangers, they run to their fosterer with wagging tails and ask to be stroked.

They still have a way to go yet but at five months old, they have time to gain confidence thanks to their fosterer Margaret’s patience.

The sisters each have one brown and one pale blue eye and will be beautiful dogs when their coats have grown back shiny and healthy.

Back at the cattery, AIN’s volunteers are on maternity watch with a small black cat called Muffin, who was rescued last week.

Unfortunately, heavily pregnant Muffin has a number of large mammary tumours that are visibly growing by the day and she will be unable to feed her kittens when they are born.

Results from biopsies on the tumours are expected from the vet this week and hopefully it is something that can be treated.

Meanwhile, one of AIN’s fosterers is on standby, ready to bottle-feed Muffin’s kittens when they arrive.

Mia has a damaged eye

Ethan, a fluffy ginger cat who was found with 15 shotgun pellets imbedded in his skin, is doing well and has been rehomed under veterinary supervision.

Seven of the pellets were removed but the remaining pellets were imbedded deeper in his body and it was safer to leave them where they were.

Apart from this, he is in excellent spirits and all at AIN wish him and long and happy life in his new home. Ethan had been dumped at a farm along with his sister Mia.

Mia is also a fluffy young cat but she had suffered from an eye infection at some point that has left one eye cloudy. Thankfully, Mia’s other eye is completely fine and she has no problems in getting around. Although she can be shy with strangers, Mia loves to be picked up and cuddled and is looking for a home with an understanding family.

One of the latest arrivals at the cattery is a young cat called Emily, who had been taken in by a local man but he could no longer care for her.

Emily had an abscess, probably caused by a bite, which has been treated and she is now recovering in her foster home.

Three cats have gone missing from different homes in the Drumrooske area of Donegal Town in the past few days.

One of the cats has returned but the other two are still missing. Their details can be found on AIN’s Facebook page, should you come across a stray cat in the area.

AIN now has a new van, which is currently being fitted with waterproof lining and transport cages for the dogs.

Finally, AIN’s Charity Shop in Donegal Town’s stock clearance sale has been a great success and is therefore being extended for another week. All clothes are €1 per item and other items are buy one get one free.

New items will be added to the sale daily, so why not pop in and grab yourself a bargain whilst helping the rescued animals of Donegal.

To help AIN’s animals, please donate €2 to AIN’s ‘Help Us To Help Them’ fundraising appeal via your phone by texting the word ‘KITTEN’ to 50300. Every last cent goes directly to the rescued animals for their food, bedding, vet bills, worming treatment and vaccinations.

For further information on adoption, fostering, volunteering etc, please contact the main helpline on 087 1356188. For cat/kitten enquiries please call 087 7644420. Animals In Need Donegal is also on Facebook and has a website at http://www.animalsinneeddonegal.com.