An abandoned dog dumped in a bush is ready to love again after months of care and rehabilitation.
Lacie, a lurcher, was left “cold, emaciated and with sores on her body” in a hedgerow in Somerset last spring.
Following 10 months of veterinary attention and a good diet, she is now fully recovered and looking for a new, caring home.
An RSPCA officer describes Lacie as “full of life and very playful despite everything she has been through”.
Lacie is hoping to find a sofa to call her own and patient, understanding adopters who will carry on her important training and socialisation.
RSPCA animal rescue officer, Ali Sparkes, was off duty when she was alerted to Lacie back in March 2021, after a neighbour reported seeing her abandoned.
“She was so frightened she wouldn’t come out or even look at me and she was really shivering,” Ali said.
“I took her to the vet who noticed a lump on her head, caused by a blunt object.
“She had cuts on her ears and a larger healing wound on her back. She was also severely underweight and had pressure sores from sleeping with no bedding.”
With such a traumatised dog, the RSPCA team knew to take things slowly. They made sure to work patiently to grow her confidence over many months.
Now, Lacie’s coat has grown back, her sores have healed and her personality has begun to shine through.
Ali said: “It’s amazing to see her looking so happy and healthy thanks to the hard work of the team at RSPCA West Hatch.
“It’ll be amazing when her recovery journey is completed by finding a loving home.
Potential adopters for Lacie must live within a reasonable distance of the centre in Taunton, Somerset, as she will need to meet her new family several times to get to know them.
Lacie could live with older teenagers, calm sociable dogs but not cats or small animals due to her high prey drive.
RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre deputy manager, Anita Clark, adds: “Lacie now cannot wait to find her forever home where she has a sofa to call her own.
“Lacie is full of life and very playful despite everything she has been through.
“She travels well in the car, and will either look out of the window or lie down.
“She is looking for patient, understanding adopters to carry on the training and socialisation we have started at the centre.
“She would also like the company of someone who is at home most of the time to house train her and teach that it is okay to be left for short periods.”
Potential adopters can find Lacie on the RSPCA’s rehoming page .
