It’s becoming an all too common occurrence – dogs being dumped out front of animal shelters. That’s what happened to a sweet Staffordshire Terrier named Nellie when she was spotted on CCTV cameras being abandoned in the middle of the night out front of Woodgreen Pets Charity. their security gates.
The situation was dangerous for Nellie as the shelter’s gates were closed and she was close to a road. In the CCTV footage Nellie is seen wandering close to the gates before being seen wandering towards the road.
Security guards responded quickly but when they got there she was lost in the dark. “Thankfully she heard our calls and returned to the gate,” Woodgreen Pets Charity shares. With some further gentle coaxing the guards were able to leash Nellie and bring her inside.
Nellie was extremely stressed when she got inside so a team stayed wiht her in the kennel to help calm her down. They also filled her kennel with comfy bedding and toys to create a safe environment.
“Her carers introduced activities to help calm her, including a snuffle mat toy where she had to seek out hidden treats. We were delighted when she started to come out of her shell and soon became firm friends with her main handlers,” the animal rescue writes on their website.
They later gave Nellie a vet check that revealed she had very recently had puppies. The two-year-old dog had a bit of trouble with her front elbow and some dermatitis but she is on the mend thanks to the shelter’s care.
Just a week after she was found outside their doors, Nellie was in a foster home and a week after that she was in her forever home. Her new human, Alex, told Woodgreen that Nellie is settling in very well at her new home. Alex says, “She’s very cuddly and affectionate, and has been polite and happy to meet visitors.”
It’s a happy ending for Nellie but Woodgreen and other animal rescues are under tremendous pressure because the cost of living crisis means they are seeing nearly 50% more strays and surrendered pets. “Our team helped Nellie when she needed us most. We’re seeing more abandoned pets like her – and with your support, we’ll never turn them away,” the charity writes. Woodgreen first opened in north London in 1924. They have grown into one of the UK’s largest pet charities and their Godmanchester base is one of the largest animal rehoming centres in Europe. Last year they cared for 4,269 dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits and rodents in their centre.
To help support them care for more abandoned pets like Nellie, please visit their website.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.