Porky pooches leave SPCA speechless (+vid)
Relevant offers
Auckland SPCA staff were speechless when they first saw morbidly obese dogs Bert and Ernie.
The two fox terriers were handed-over to the animal haven on June 17 by their owners who could no longer care for them.
On arrival Bert weighted a whopping 32kg and Ernie weighed 20kg. But despite their weight problem the eight year dogs were happy, and had been generally well cared for since they were puppies.
SPCA operations manager Tracy Dunn said the team were speechless when they saw how overweight the dogs were.
She said the SPCA often sees malnourished and underweight dogs and cats, so it was unusual to have two very overweight dogs handed in at once.
Dunn said animal obesity is becoming a major problem in New Zealand.
"The nation's overweight people are in turn overfeeding and supersizing their pets."
Bert and Ernie have been put on a Hill's Prescription Diet which is low in calories and high in dietary fibre with appropriate levels of protein.
The dogs' progress will be monitored every week until they reach their ideal weight -15kg for Bert and 12kg for Ernie.
Bert's weight loss plan is predicted to take 36 weeks and Ernie's should take around 27 weeks.
SPCA staff have already noticed positive changes in the dogs.
"They are finding it easier to move around and their weight is slowly but surely dropping."
The dogs will soon move on to a foster home, and will be put up for adoption once they reach their goal weight.
The SPCA hopes Bert and Ernie can be rehomed together as they are the "best of friends".
- © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links
Tuhoe show support for 'Urewera four'
Woman critically injured in hit and run
One dead after SH1 crash near Wellington
MMP review may slam door on MPs
Lawyer Barry Hart faces misconduct charges
South Canterbury Finance five ready to fight
Calls for flu tests after airport health scare
Fraudster accountant loses dispute
Ex-MP 'ashamed' of his drink-driving
Son watches dad die in boat tragedy
River returns Zharian to grieving family
Mum cops $200 fine for truant daughter
Son watches dad die in boat tragedy
Woman critically injured in hit and run
Kiwi accused in $3m cocaine case
Mum cops $200 fine for truant daughter
Hi-tech threat to public servants
Lawyer Barry Hart faces misconduct charges
Rowing crewmates become rivals at nationals
Robbed retailers want cameras, not flowers
Murder weapon adds to victim's family's pain
Erin Baker our 'best ever', Adams looming fast
Daniel set to wave goodbye to Wellington
Jones' entry proves bitter pill after defection
Son watches dad die in boat tragedy
One dead after SH1 crash near Wellington
Dotcom accused van der Kolk 'flabbergasted'
Mum cops $200 fine for truant daughter
Caring for these kids a job for life
Body found in Sydney tree identified
Adele's the big winner at Grammys
Hi-tech threat to public servants
Hail our new scenic wonderland - Lake Te Kuiti
Editorial: Taking a wider view
Unruly festival-goers 'stretch police'




