Paw thing: Alfie is hoping for a belated Christmas gift of life. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 75411
ERIN PEARSON
GEELONG Animal Welfare Society is asking residents to dig deep this New Year to give the gift of life.
Six week old pup Alfie is in urgent need of lifesaving leg surgery but staff at the shelter are struggling to come up with the thousands of dollars needed.
Acting manager Belinda Russo said the German shorthair pointer was surrendered to council in “appalling condition” with a broken leg and an abscess.
Ms Russo said the dog’s leg had been broken so long it had begun to heal incorrectly.
The shelter hoped someone would sponsor the pup’s recovery.
“We’ve got all the right resources for the poor little guy we just need some financial help because this type of orthopedic surgery will cost thousands,” she said.
“Our costs have skyrocketed since we’ve adopted our no kill policy and although we remain committed to this we do need public assistance.
“Our staff have embraced this little baby and we hope Geelong will too.”
Ms Russo said surgery would cost around $2000. Alfie would then require six weeks of care, she said.
“These cases just break our hearts because the dog is so young and so vulnerable.”
The Independent last month reported that a spate of animal cruelty cases had shocked shelter staff.
Ms Russo said the centre had been “overwhelmed” with community support that followed.
Staffy cross bull dog Bronson, who appeared on the front page of the Independent on December 23, has since been adopted.
