LOCAL charity Warrington Animal Welfare (WAW) is appealing for the community’s support towards a £12,000 veterinary bill for specialist surgery for a puppy born with severely deformed front legs.
Hugo, a Shih Tzu x Poodle who is barely one-year-old, came into the care of the charity a couple of months ago after his owner was no longer able to cope.
The young dog, who was originally purchased from a large-scale puppy seller operating locally, has since been living with a WAW foster carer while the charity investigated problems with his front legs.
Hugo has now been diagnosed with Angular Limb Deformity (ALD), a developmental condition in which the bones in his legs have grown at different rates, causing abnormal bending and angles.
Without treatment, his condition is expected to become progressively worse and is likely to cause increasing pain.
Despite the severity of his condition, WAW says Hugo is one of the happiest and friendliest dogs its team could wish to meet. He adores people, loves other dogs and has quickly won the hearts of his foster family and everyone involved in his care.
Specialist orthopaedic surgery offers Hugo hope, but the treatment is extensive. Surgeons will need to cut and realign the affected bones before holding them in their new positions using metal plates and screws.
Both of Hugo’s front legs require treatment, with the total cost expected to be around £12,000.
WAW is committed to getting Hugo the treatment he needs, but for a small local rescue, a £12,000 veterinary bill represents a significant cost. The charity is now asking the Warrington community to help towards funding his care.
A WAW Trustee said:”Hugo is quite simply one of the nicest dogs you could ever wish to meet. He loves people, he loves other dogs and, at barely a year old, he should have his whole life ahead of him.
“Instead, he’s facing major surgery on both front legs. Without it, his condition will continue to deteriorate and is likely to become increasingly painful. We are committed to doing everything we can to get Hugo the treatment he needs, but £12,000 is an enormous veterinary bill for a small charity like ours.
“Sadly, Hugo was originally bought from a large-scale commercial puppy seller here in Warrington, having been bred elsewhere, usual Northern Ireland, and transported to the town for sale. Once again, it is a small local rescue like ours that is left picking up the pieces long after the puppy has been sold.”
“We see the consequences when breeding and selling puppies becomes about volume and profit rather than putting the lifelong health and welfare of the animals first. The original seller doesn’t face Hugo’s £12,000 veterinary bill – a small local charity and its supporters do. Most importantly, it is Hugo who has to go through the surgery.
“We can’t change where Hugo came from, but we can make sure he gets the care he needs now. We’re asking Warrington and animal lovers to help us meet the huge cost of doing that.”
Veterinary advice provided to WAW indicates there is a hereditary and genetic component to angular limb deformities, with the condition occurring more frequently in certain breeds.
The charity’s vet explained that breeding from dogs with poor conformation – or from adults repeatedly producing puppies with these types of problems – would not be advised.
However, because ALD is progressive and developmental, WAW cannot establish the precise cause of Hugo’s individual condition or how severe it would have appeared when he was originally sold as a young puppy.
The charity hopes Hugo’s story will also encourage people to think carefully about where puppies come from and the lifelong consequences that breeding decisions can have.
WAW would always encourage people to consider adoption first, giving a rescue animal the chance of a loving home.
However, if adoption isn’t an option and someone chooses to buy a puppy, the charity says it is vital to research the breeder and seller thoroughly. Prospective owners should find out where a puppy was actually born and bred and always insist on seeing the puppy with its mother in the environment where it was raised. They should ask questions about the health of its parents and littermates and think carefully about puppies that have travelled significant distances before being offered for sale.
WAW is now appealing for donations towards the £12,000 cost of Hugo’s specialist treatment. The charity relies heavily on donations to provide veterinary treatment and care for animals in need and hopes the Warrington community will rally around the adorable young dog.
The WAW spokesperson added: “We want to reassure people that Hugo’s care isn’t dependent on us reaching a fundraising target – we’re committed to doing everything we can for him. But £12,000 is an enormous amount for a small charity and every donation towards that cost will make a genuine difference.
“If 1,200 people gave just £10, it would cover the estimated cost of Hugo’s surgery. Every £5, £10 or £20 helps us meet that bill and means our limited funds can continue helping Hugo and the other animals who need us.
“Hugo didn’t choose how he came into this world. He deserves the chance to run, play and grow old without his legs becoming increasingly painful. We’re asking Warrington to please get behind him.”
People can support Hugo’s appeal in several safe ways, including online donations, PayPal, Text to Donate, cheque and cash.
Donations can be made online via justgiving.com/charity/warringtonanimalwelfare.
People can also donate by text:
• To donate £1, text NEUT001 to 70201
• To donate £3, text NEUT001 to 70331
• To donate £5, text NEUT001 to 70970
• To donate £10, text NEUT001 to 70191
Donors will be charged their donation plus their standard network rate.
Further information about Hugo and all the ways to donate can be found on the Warrington Animal Welfare website.
