It was one of Scotland’s most remarkable animal rescues.
Twenty four puppies, many with life threatening diseases, found crying and cowering inside a lorry at Cairnryan ferry port in Dumfries and Galloway at the beginning of 2024, brought to safety by the Scottish SPCA.
Now six months on, thanks to the generous support of animal lovers across the country, every one of them is healthy, happy and has been rehomed.
The Scottish SPCA’s Fostering and Rehoming Lead Anna O’Donnell says: “While this is fantastic result for the Cairnryan puppies and the charity as a whole this sadly isn’t an isolated incident.
“While these pups have found their forever homes there are many more animals in the Scottish SPCA’s care who are looking for theirs.
“We’d urge people thinking of rehoming an animal to have an open mind about the kind of pet you could give a home to.
“By talking to us and helping us get to know you, we can help you find the perfect match and an animal in need its forever home.”
The Scottish SPCA were called to the ferry port at Cairnyan at the end of January this year after being alerted by a member of the public who heard the puppies crying from underneath a lorry.
The cockapoo and cavapoo pups had been hidden inside cardboard boxes in dire conditions without any food or water.
After being taken to one of the charity’s rescue and rehoming centres for immediate veterinary care, they were found to be suffering from severe ear mites and checked for other potential diseases and infections.
SSPCA staff treating the animals worked round the clock to screen the puppies who had a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses due to living in unsanitary conditions.
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The estimated cost of their rescue and continuing care and veterinary treatment at the Scottish SPCA’s centre was, at that time, thought to be around £25000 but after a Crowdfunder was set up by the charity, a staggering £23000 was raised in just over two days from generous members of the public.
This money has meant not only did all the puppies survive their horrific ordeal but they are now thriving in their new homes after being successfully rehomed by the charity.
One of the puppies who had the most serious health condition was little Piper.
She had been born with a heart murmur which, through her neglect, had gone undetected, but thankfully it was picked up on her first health check by the Scottish SPCA vet team.
She was then transferred to local vets CrumPets, in Glasgow, who carried out a lifesaving heart operation on the young puppy free of charge.
Without this treatment Piper would not have made it but now she is living her best life with a new family in Linlithgow.
And her broken heart has finally been healed.
Mum-of-three Jemma Chessar who adopted Piper, now called Skye said: “Our whole family adore her – she has made our home complete.
“We love going on beach walks and teaching Skye new tricks. She loves every minute of her life.”
Fellow pup Indie, who was named after the brave action hero Indiana Jones, is also flourishing in her new home.
New owner Sharon Davison says: "Indie has bounced in to our lives and stole our hearts.
“My husband and I were very fortunate to be given the opportunity to adopt Indie and he came home with us in February.
“He has settled in so well and is such a lovely natured little furball.
“He loves his snuggles and is very sociable with both humans and other four-legged friends.
“He is massively spoilt and showered in love and kisses.”
To find out more about rehoming or fostering an animal through the charity visit www.scottishspca.org
For more information on the puppies story visit https://www.scottishspca.org/cairnryan-puppy-rescue-revisited