Search still on for owner of miracle pup rescued from well fall
‘BADGER’ MAKING A GOOD RECOVERY AFTER DRAMA
WELL-WISHES, donations and kind offers to provide a loving home have flooded in as a dog found down a 15ft-deep concrete shaft continues his recovery.
The black and white Caucasian shepherd, nicknamed Badger, was hauled from the waterlogged well in Stockton by RSPCA officers, firefighters and a passing dog walker.
He was wearing a leather studded collar and is microchipped, but with no address registered to the device, his owner is still being sought.
Badger is recovering well in the care of Jacqui Paterson’s Vets in Stockton. Despite the kind offers to take him in when the time is right, the vet has advised that Badger is “a giant working dog breed” that could weigh as much as 70kg, and will need a ‘very special’ owner”.
A fundraising page set up by the RSPCA to help pay for Badger’s care has now reached over £3,500.
Posting on Facebook, JP Vets said: “We have been humbled by your response to Badger’s story.
“Our team have been inundated with kind offers to give him a foster home or a forever home when the time is right for him. Badger will need a very special person to match his very special personality.
“He is a giant working dog breed originated to protect property and be very loyal to their families, therefore often not a good choice for a first-time dog foster.”
Badger’s playful side has only recently came to light after his ordeal. He enjoys rolling around the floor and darting to and fro with the nursing team, which is a great indicator that he is feeling settled.
The team say that Badger is really starting to act like a young, playful and carefree dog and thoroughly enjoys a brush down. Earlier in the week, the team told how Badger was starting to recover under their care. They said: “Badger has had a comfortable weekend and spent a lot of time sleeping off his awful experience.
“He is slowly gaining both weight and strength and his personality is starting to shine. He’s definitely found his voice too.
“Badger went without food for an unknown length of time, so introducing food again has been carefully controlled, if not this can result in a condition called refeeding syndrome. This condition is a result of the body getting too much food too quickly after a period of starvation and can cause neurological and cardiac issues, and in extreme cases, death.
“Our nurses have been managing this by using strict feeding plans this week, alongside using certain foods to reduce the risk of this life-threatening condition.
“We can’t wait to see him at his ideal body condition in the future. And what a big boy he will be!
“Thank you so much for all the well wishes we have received and for all the kind donations.”
You can still donate to help Badger and find out more about JP Vets on their website or Facebook page.
Badger’s size will need to be taken into consideration by anyone interested in coming forward to foster or rehome him.
If you are interested in fostering an animal, contact the RSPCA on 0300 1238018.