Little Annie the orphan pup found dumped in a box
It’s the hard knock life for little Annie, a three week old orphan pup. The canine castaway, who is the only surviving member of her family, was found abandoned in a cardboard box before being taken to the Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria.
The tiny Staffordshire bull terrier cross puppy was just 10 days old when she and her seven siblings were handed over to the leading pet charity by a member of the public who said the dogs’ mother had died. But because the litter were too young to be away from their mum and in very poor condition, six of the pups had died, leaving little orphan Annie all alone.
Amanda Marrington, Welfare Officer at Blue Cross Victoria animal hospital said: “It’s so sad that Annie doesn’t have any brothers and sisters to grow up with but when pups are so small and don’t have their mum, their chances of survival are very slim. Annie is very lucky to have survived and is such a little character. Unfortunately we see lots of abandoned puppies and kittens coming through our doors as people aren’t getting their pets neutered.”
Ideally puppies would stay with their mother until they are around eight weeks old and properly weaned. Annie is being cared for around the clock by Blue Cross veterinary nurses who are feeding the orphan every few hours, day and night. She will soon go into a temporary foster home where an experienced carer will look after her until she is old enough to be rehomed.
Annie is just one of the 350 Staffies that Blue Cross takes in every year. Blue Cross has seen an 85 per cent increase in the number of Staffordshire bull terriers and their cross breeds coming into its rehoming centres over the last five years.
Amanda adds: “Our RespectaBull workshops aim to educate people about how to be responsible Staffie owners so dogs like Annie don’t end up unwanted and without a home. But Staffies can make wonderful companions and are extremely loyal and affectionate. Annie is utterly adorable and I’m sure she’ll find a loving new home in no time.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
• Please credit photos Blue Cross/Phil Hall Photos
• Blue Cross has been dedicated to helping poorly, injured and abandoned pets for over 100 years. We opened the world’s first animal hospital in 1906 and since then our doors have never closed to sick and homeless animals.
• Today we run four animal hospitals and 12 rehoming centres across the UK, which provide treatment and seek happy homes for thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses every year.
• Blue Cross actively campaigns to improve all aspects of animal welfare, working with the government, schools and others to improve the lives of pets and their owners.
Media contact
Lisa Graham, Media Officer, 020 79324063, 07860 519716, [email protected]