Noelle and her litter (BC SPCA photo)

By Canadian Press/Vernon Matters

Okanagan

Pregnant dog removed from freezing home, gives birth to 7 puppies

Feb 5, 2023 | 5:15 PM

A malnourished dog in Kelowna is safe after being found chained to a wall in a freezing cold basement with no heat or insulation.

The BC SPCA says the Australian Shepherd dog, named Noelle, was emaciated and very pregnant.

“This poor mom was in an area of the basement that had been separated by plywood and fencing,” Eileen Drever, senior officer, protection and stakeholder relations for the BC SPCA, said.

“She was exposed to freezing temperatures and had no protection from the cold except for a sprinkling of alfalfa straw and some dirty towels. She was surrounded by piles of feces and urine.”

It says the dog was immediately taken to a veterinarian for an examination.

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The organization says Noelle was then brought to the SPCA’s Kelowna Animal Centre where she gave birth to seven healthy puppies.

The agency was able to find a BC SPCA foster to take care of the mom and her babies.

Asked if taking care of seven puppies was a lot, Martyn replied, “Seven is not a big deal, not after you have fostered a mom and 13 puppies.”

Martyn and his wife Linda have been fosters for the BC SPCA for more than sixteen years. “We have thousands and thousands of puppy photos,” he said.