Galway sanctuary organises raffle to help fund rescue dog’s life-saving surgery
By Dorottya Fejes
The Galway Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is raising funds to cover the veterinary bills of Teapot, a stray dog found with severe injuries earlier this month.
The greyhound mix was picked up from the side of the road on 3 November with a badly broken leg and ripped paws by the Carlow/Kilkenny Dog Shelter.
As the shelter was unable to take her in, staff issued an appeal on their Facebook page. Emma O’Brien, kennel manager at the Galway SPCA, saw the post and decided to give the little girl “a lifeline.”
“There was just something about her little face, and I was like, ‘I’ll take her, and we’ll raise the funds to get her leg sorted’,” she explained.
Teapot was soon admitted to a veterinary clinic in Limerick, where a team of specialists carried out a successful operation.
She is now two weeks post-operation and doing “really well,” although she still faces a six-to-eight-week rehabilitation process.
“It’s really important that we keep her quiet and make sure she’s not bouncing on that leg too much,” Ms O’Brien said. “She’s up to five-minute walks, three times a day now.”
The operation cost the sanctuary €1,200, a sum that many dog shelters cannot cover on their own.
“I knew that by taking her in, I was adding pressure on our routine veterinary care bills,” Ms O’Brien explained.
How you can help Teapot’s recovery
To help cover the costs, the sanctuary is running a raffle with two hampers for the community.
Tickets can be bought online or in the charity shops run by the Galway SPCA (in Briarhill, Ballinasloe, Loughrea and Athenry).
Closing date for the raffle is 30 November, when Teapot herself will pick the two lucky winners.
“I think it’s really important that we bring the people on the journey with us,” Ms O’Brien explained. “Especially those who have donated towards (her) care.”
What’s next for Teapot?
After the rehabilitation process and a “little assessment”, Teapot will be put up for adoption. This will include getting her out in public and meeting other dogs and people.
“Just so we know that we are placing our dogs in the right environment and the right location with the right people,” the kennel manager said.
“The best part of our job is saying goodbye. They no longer need us, we are just their second stop to a better life.”
About Galway SPCA
The Galway SPCA currently operates a cattery in Briarhill and a dog sanctuary in Killimor, Co. Galway, with space for up to 35 dogs.
For 40 years, the charity has been dedicated to the care of animals in need through neglect, abandonment, abuse, or those at risk due to a change of circumstances.
There are currently 10 dogs, 21 cats and kittens, five gerbils and four guinea pigs up for adoption. More information can be found on the sanctuary’s website.
