Giving homeless pets hope again
Whatever the reason for a pet coming to us, we don’t turn them away. Because at Woodgreen our priority is to help every animal, no matter what their background or how challenging their care may be.
This majestic Rhodesian ridgeback, Leilo, was brought to Woodgreen because her owners couldn't afford to keep her any longer.
Leilo arrived at Woodgreen suffering from an ongoing severe ear infection in both ears, and they had become severely inflamed. She’d spent the last four years – almost all of her life – wearing a cone-shaped buster collar to prevent her scratching.
Our veterinerary team got straight to work, treating the infection with regular ear cleaning, ear drops, medication, and pain relief. Over the next six weeks she was a regular fixture at our surgery, with each round of treatment helping to reduce the pain and swelling.
We're seeing more and more pets who need extra care and help - like Leilo, whose original owners sadly couldn't afford her treatment any more. And we'll never turn them away.
With Leilo’s regular visits to the vets reducing the swelling and pain, she started to find freedom without having to wear a cone to stop her scratching.
However, even with the treatment starting to work, she was still very uncomfortable in our kennels. Many of our dogs find the transition from a home to kennels difficult to cope with, especially if they’re not used to the environment. So, we placed Leilo in the care of Sian, a dedicated Woodgreen fosterer, who she stayed with for a month.
Leilo became more comfortable with her collar off, it enabled her to move around more freely and reveal some of her cheeky traits. Sian was able to distract Leilo with toys, treats and a few tricks, so that she wasn’t inclined to scratch her ears. Eventually, she started walking normally again without having to pause for an itch.
Upon her return to Woodgreen, Leilo was checked over by our Veterinary Team, who were very happy with her progress. Although the infection had permanently damaged her ears by changing the colour inside due to the inflammation, she was no longer experiencing pain. Leilo was very excited to see all her pals in the kennels – she’d really come out of her shell and was ready to find her new owners.
After her match on The Dog House, Series 2 Episode 8, Leilo went home with her adoring new owner Pauline, and we’re delighted to hear how well she’s settled in.
Pauline’s daughter, Victoria, is a regular visitor to their home and Leilo is always very excited to see her for extra love and affection! Pauline tells us: “Leilo is a sweetheart. She loves everyone and every dog she meets and shows her affection accordingly. She’s a star.”
Whatever the reason for a pet coming to us, we don’t turn them away. Because at Woodgreen our priority is to help every animal, no matter what their background or how challenging their care may be.
Pooch or pedigree, every pet we support always steals the show! Find out more about the four-legged stars we've helped during The Dog House. And the human rockstars who bring them back to their old selves.
Our cats, dogs and small animals are a special bunch, and as rescues they've been through more than your average pet. So when it comes to their next home, we're looking for more than your average owner.
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