SPCA has taken in hedgehogs in distress and provided them with veterinary care and rehabilitation
During the past few week, we have received several weak or ailing hedgehogs that were brought in to us by passers-by. Our veterinary staff cared for the hedgehogs and returned them to their natural habitat or transferred them to the veterinary hospital for wild animals at the Safari zoo, where they received additional care.
One of the hedgehogs that was brought to us was weak and suffering from severe dehydration. As can be seen in the picture, it drank continuously when we offered it water, and later it was also fed. Another young hedgehog that we named Shmulik was brought to us after being run over and nearly killed by a car. He too received care at the Society’s veterinary primary clinic and was then transferred to the Safari for further treatment.
Note: Hedgehogs are wild animals that are protected by law, and must not be raised at home. If you encounter a hedgehog in distress, notify the Society or contact a veterinarian for assistance.
Blacky’s Rehabilitation
A happy ending: After being hit by a car and found injured alongside Highway 6, Blacky went through a long rehabilitation at the Society and ultimately found a warm and loving home
Blacky, a 7-month old mixed-breed female, arrived at the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Israel six months ago, after she was hit by a car and found injured alongside Highway 6. During an examination carried out at the Society’s clinic she was diagnosed with two fractures in her right foreleg.
The Society staff took Blacky to Dr. Hudik, a veterinarian with expertise in orthopedic surgery. Blacky underwent surgery, during which a pin was inserted into her leg and the leg was bandaged and put in a splint. For many weeks Blacky had to stay in a sterile room and avoid any activity, while our devoted staff took care of her, helping her eat and relieve herself.
Blacky turned out to be a friendly and loving dog, and her physical condition did not affect her joie de vivre. Throughout her recovery process, Blacky showed her gratitude by kissing and licking all of her caregivers, and her condition improved daily.
At the end of the six-month rehabilitation period, Blacky recovered completely, and the Society staff began looking for a warm and loving home for her. The lucky person to take her home was Yuval Baruch, and Blacky embarked on a new life, spayed, vaccinated and playful.
Sia Dolorosa
A dog,cruelly tied to a pole in the sea, almost drowned. She was saved by a passer-by, received dedicated treatment at the SPCA and has found a warm home
Yet again we see that there is no end to ignorance and cruelty. Fortunately, this time a life was saved.
While jogging on the beach in Jisr al-Zarqa [an Arab coastal town], AssafZargarian noticed something suspicious in the water. When he approached the scene, he was shocked to find a helpless dog tied to a pole in the sea, the high waves threatening to drown her. Assaf rushed to untie the knot and free the dog, after which he phoned the SPCA Israel call center.
A passing teenager explained that he had seen a young boy tie the dog to the pole,probably thinking this was the way to rid her of the ticks on her body. Since the young boy had vanished, a complaint could not be brought against the offender.
The SPCA rescuers took the dog to the veterinary clinic, where she was treated and given the name Sia. The SPCA team and volunteers showered Sia with love for weeks and helped her forget the trauma she’d been through. She received the necessary vaccinations and an electronic chip, was spayed and began waiting patiently for the right family to adopt her.
Sia, a two-year-old mixed breed, is a gentle, devoted and quiet dog that craves affection. While on a walk in the SPCA yard with one of our volunteers she was noticed by the Goldstein family who had come to adopt a dog. They fell in love with Sia at first sight and after hearing her story they promised to give her a warm home and treat her with love.
We are grateful to Assaf, whose quick actions rescued Sia and gave her a chance at a better life.
To raise awareness and prevent cases of cruelty to animals, the SPCA’s Humane Education Department regularly holds special educational activities in the Arab sector.
If you have encountered an animal in distress, please do not ignore it. Call us at *4553 or report to the appropriate authorities.
Shirley
I was orphaned when I was only three months old and I suffered from developmental problems because of a lack of mother's milk. In the SPCA stables they take care of me and I even have an adopted mother - Cheetah - who watches out for me and never leaves me for even a moment
The filly, Shirley, was born on a farm where conditions for rearing her were inappropriate. Her mother was in depleted physical condition, which prevented her from nursing Shirley and caused developmental problems. She reached the SPCA stables when she was three months old, suffering from undernourishment, a weakened pelvic area and hind legs and had a limp. Due to the lack of mother’s milk, she was underweight so was given nutritional supplements and a milk substitute suited to foals.
Shirley on her arrival at the SPCA
During the last few months Shirley has gained strength and is slowly gaining weight. She underwent professional hoof-trimming and dental filing, and in order to strengthen and rehabilitate the pelvic area and her legs, the stables staff worked with her consistently, taking her for slow, gentle walks on a rope lead. From her first day in the SPCA stables, Shirley was adopted by Cheetah, a mature, eighteen year old mare.
Shirley and Cheetah – never apart
Update: 2.5 years after Shirley started her rehabilitation process, we found for her a farm, and now she enjoys quiet life with other horses.
Cheetah
For long years, I slaved away pulling wagons while my health was neglected. Luckily for me, I reached the SPCA stables, where I am undergoing rehabilitation and getting professional, medical care. In the stables I adopted Shirley, a young orphaned filly
For many years Cheetah, a mature, eighteen year old mare, worked as a slave, pulling heavy wagons and suffering abuse while her medical problems were neglected. She arrived at the SPCA stables with severe wounds and in extremely low physical condition. During her rehabilitation Cheetah was given disinfecting washes, fed nourishing food, had her hoofs trimmed and her teeth filed. Gradually she gained weight under a controlled regimen.
Cheetah undergoing dental filing
One month after Cheetah came here to us, a young filly, named Shirley, joined the stables. Amazing Cheetah adopted her and doesn’t leave her for a moment.
Cheetah enjoys a cool, refreshing showerCheetah and her adopted daughter, Shirley
Update: In the end of the rehabilitation process Cheetah was adopted by owners of a private horse farm.
The Foundling
An orphaned filly and an older mare were rescued from the cycle of suffering
Raising animals requires dedicated care, attention and a lot of love, without which the results can be calamitous. Shirley, a six-month old filly, experienced this personally together with her mother, when their owners did not provide them with appropriate care. The mother, 16 years old, was in an extremely depleted physical state, as a result of which she couldn’t nurse her filly, causing problems in her development.
The mother died three months ago, and Shirley the orphan, who was then a young, three-month-old filly, reached the Horses Home in the SPCA, where horses and donkeys are rehabilitated after suffering neglect and abuse. She was underweight and weak in the pelvis area and hind legs, and, due to a lack of mother’s milk, she needed to gain weight and was started on nutritional supplements and milk substitutes adapted for foals.
Shirley upon her arrival at the SPCA
Over the past few months, Shirley has slowly gained weight and strength. She underwent two professional hoof-trimming treatments, and in order to strengthen and rehabilitate her pelvic area and legs, the stable staff is working with her continually, leading her by rope for gentle walks.
Shirley in the SPCA Horses Home
The one who adopted Shirley and is following her every step, is Cheetah, an eighteen year old mare, who reached the SPCA four months ago, suffering from wounds and in poor physical state herself. During her rehabilitation, Cheetah was given disinfecting washes, fed nutritious food, had her hooves trimmed and has gained weight.
Cheetah – Looking for a warm home
Both the mares, that are inseparable, have to get further vaccinations and worming shots, while Cheetah must have her teeth filed. Now we are looking for reliable adoptive homes with people who have a stable and are experienced in caring for horses. Cheetah can be ridden part of the time while Shirley still needs to be led and helped to recuperate.
The costs of the special foods, vaccinations and treatments that Shirley and Cheetah need, come to thousands of NIS and we are approaching the public to help us rehabilitate them by making donations. Every donation, big or small, will help us to help these two mares.
Four horses that underwent rehabilitation in the SPCA Horses Home are looking for responsible new owners
In the past few weeks, four horses have been admitted to the SPCA Horses Home, where we rehabilitate horses and donkeys that have suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of their owners:
Crembo, is a white, particularly friendly 12 year old local breed horse. He reached us about a month ago in bad condition with signs of chafing on his legs. During the past few weeks he was given Polydine rinses and his condition rapidly improved. He has been neutered and still needs to be vaccinated, dewormed and have professional hoof trimming. He is suitable for light riding and is looking for owners who will care for him with love.
Alpha
Alpha, a five year old grey, local breed mare, reached us a month and a half ago. She was neglected and in poor condition, since her owners hadn’t taken care of her properly. Since her arrival she has been given special food and nutritional supplements and now has to have her teeth filed, be vaccinated, dewormed and have professional hoof trimming. According to the team, she is a charming horse, easy going and suitable for riding and is looking for owners who will adopt her and continue to feed her appropriately so that she will continue to gain a little more weight and flourish.
Cleopatra
Cleopatra, a seven year old, local breed mare, reached our Horses Home about one month ago after her owners were negligent in their care of her. For the past month she has been fed special food and has already gained weight. Now she needs to have her teeth filed, be vaccinated, dewormed and have professional hoof trimming. She is suitable for light riding and soon she will complete the rehabilitation process and will be ready to find new and loving owners.
Maria
Maria, a nine year-old, local breed mare, reached us about a year and a half ago, totally exhausted and in very bad physical condition. She suffered from multiple wounds and severe pain. She underwent a long rehabilitation process in our Horses Home and eventually was transferred to a farm that wished to adopt her. A month and a half ago Maria came back to us, after her new owners found it too challenging to take care of her. She had lost a little weight and suffered from a sore in her eye. In recent weeks she was given Polydine washes and nutritional supplements to restore her to good health. She still has to have her hooves trimmed and be dewormed and we hope that soon she will be ready for adoption.
Rehabilitation of the horses and donkeys in the SPCA Horses Home involves much expense for veterinary treatments and quality food. Your generous support will help us to bear the costs of caring for these animals. To contribute, Click here.
For anyone interested in adopting one of these horses or donkeys: The horses that are rehabilitated in our Horses Home need responsible owners who have stables or farms and are experienced in raising horses. The horses are given up for adoption for no charge following a visit by one of our representatives to the site. For further details and enquiries regarding adoption, please contact us at: *4553 or 03-5136500.
Hamsa
The SPCA team rescued me when I was on the verge of death. They took care of me with much dedication and now, very gradually, I am getting stronger. I am fed special, nutritious food that helps me to gain weight, but my rehabilitation process is expected to take a very long time
The horse Hamsa (7 years old) was found in the Taibe area, wounded and very underweight. She had collapsed from exhaustion and could not get back up on her feet. With much effort, the team managed to lift her on to a trailer and take her to the Society’s stables.
Hamsa where she was found – exhausted and unable to stand
According to the veterinarian who examined her, she was on the verge of death and, had she not been rescued, it is likely that she would have died within a few days. The examination also revealed that she was dehydrated, malnourished, in need of hoof trimming after a long period of neglect, and needed to have her teeth filed. She was also put on an intensive course of antibiotics to treat a serious open wound on her back, apparently caused by misuse of her saddle.
The rehabilitation process – nourishing food and treatment for the open wounds
In addition to antibiotics, Hamsa was given analgesics and now her wounds are healing. The main challenge was to help her gain weight and in order to achieve this, she was put on a diet of highly nutritious food and expensive dietary supplements but, due to the condition of her teeth, she had difficulty eating. After a few weeks, during which time Hamsa got a little stronger, her teeth were filed and now it is easier for her to eat. She has become more vivacious but still suffers from exhaustion, spends a lot of time lying down, and the weight-gaining process is expected to be prolonged.
The wounds being treated intensively
Update: In the end of the rehabilitation process Hamsa was adopted by a private horse farm near Ashkelon.
Paz
Long years of forced labor and neglect had left their mark on me, till the SPCA team rescued me from my torture and brought me to the safety of the Society's stables. Now I am undergoing rehabilitation and upon completion of the process I will be found new and loving owners
For a long time Paz (12 years old) was forced to work, pulling heavy, loaded wagons while her owners neglected her health. The result: long hooves that weren’t treated and affected his balance, substandard weight, wounds and chafing caused by improvised harnessing, and worms.
Gradual weight gain
Following a report to the SPCA call center from passers-by, she was brought to our stables and started on her rehabilitation process which included nourishing food to help her gain weight, deworming, professional hoof trimming and shoeing, and ongoing care of her wounds.
The forced labor and neglect are now behind her – Paz is in good hands
Paz’s condition improved gradually and she is in the midst of the rehabilitation process.
Update: In the end of the rehabilitation process Paz was adopted by owners of a private horse farm.
Zion
I am only one year old but have already gone through much hardship: I was cruelly abused, starved and neglected till I collapsed. Fortunately I was rescued by the SPCA, and thanks to the loving care that I received and the rehabilitation I am undergoing, I will soon be fully recovered
Following a report to the SPCA call center regarding a donkey that collapsed in South Tel Aviv, a special team set out to the location. The one year old donkey was in a state of exhaustion, extremely thin, weak, dehydrated, suffering from injuries in many parts of his body and was unable to stand on his feet.
Zion in the place where he was found, exhausted and unable to stand on his feet
The donkey, who was named Zion, was brought to the SPCA stables where he received first aid, which included infusions of fluids, nourishing food and rest. The wounds in the chest and legs areas were treated, and at a later stage he was given professional hoof trimming.
A few days later – Zion gained some strength and is standing on his feet
The rehabilitation process has not yet been completed; Zion continues to receive special food and is slowly gaining weight and we hope that soon we will be able to find him a new and responsible home.
Zion in the Society’s stables – the abuse and neglect are behind him
Update: In the end of the rehabilitation process Zion was adopted by a private farm in a Kibbutz in the north of the country.
