The owner of a badly injured poodle, found abandoned in Rutland yesterday, has just three days to come forward before the dog is placed for adoption.
According to the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, the white male poodle mix — believed to be between five and ten years old — was discovered in a backyard on Hein Road yesterday morning. He was bleeding from injuries believed to have been caused by a vehicle collision.
Animal control officers immediately rescued the dog and rushed him to receive emergency veterinary care. District spokesperson Bruce Smith confirmed that the dog is now in stable condition.
“He’s being medicated for pain, but he’s alert and awake,” Smith said.
The veterinarian’s examination suggested the dog’s owner might not live in Kelowna. He was found to have fleas — an uncommon issue for pets in the Okanagan due to the region’s dry climate — and his fur appeared to have been clipped within the last couple of months.
These clues, combined with his condition, led officials to believe the dog may have been abandoned several days ago.
“When they fed the dog, it was ravenous, suggesting it may have gone without food for a couple of days,” Smith noted.
Since news of the rescue broke, the district has been flooded with calls from concerned residents. Many have expressed interest in adopting the dog or contributing to his medical expenses.
“If he’s unclaimed after 72 hours, we’ll take the appropriate steps,” Smith said. “We’ve even had people calling to say they would take the dog immediately.”
If an adopter within Kelowna is chosen, they will be required to license the dog right away.
Should no one come forward before the deadline, the poodle will officially become the property of the regional district and will be transferred to the Kelowna SPCA, where he will begin the search for a new home.