FOSTER carer Bree Slater’s heart broke when she picked up Lhasa apso pooch, Elsa.
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At six years old, the canine’s teats were swollen after having multiple litters and she had tumours that needed removing. She was also suffering from the start of a serious uterus infection, had two rotten teeth, matted hair and long nails.
‘‘Elsa is really skittish and quite scared of men, doors and loud noises,’’ Ms Slater said.
Elsa is just one of 16 mistreated hounds the RSPCA seized from an Inverell puppy farm.
With no room at its Rutherford shelter, it asked Hunter Animal Rescue carers to give 10 a chance at a better life.
‘‘It’s the worst case I’ve ever seen from a puppy farm,’’ Hunter Animal Rescue president Jaimie Abbott said. ‘‘These dogs appear to have been used for breeding, but who knows what would have happened when that time was up?’’
The seven females and three males are suffering from conditions including ear infections, irritated or missing eyes, rotten teeth, twisted spines, deformed feet, heart murmurs and fluid on the lungs.
Hunter Animal Rescue carers are looking after the poodle cross, Chihuahua, beagle, two Lhasa apsos, two cavalier king charles spaniels and three cavalier crosses as they undergo or prepare for medical treatment.
Each carer has been ‘‘inundated’’ with applications from those hoping to provide the dogs with permanent homes.
Some carers are hoping to introduce the pups to their new owners as early as next weekend.
‘‘Elsa’s my fifth foster dog and is going to be the hardest to rehome because she’s so sweet and has been through a lot,’’ Ms Slater said. ‘‘Whoever I choose needs to spoil her rotten and treat her like a princess.’’
Foster carers Steve Scully and Julie Jennings have been looking after cavalier Molly.
Molly is growing out of her habit of hesitantly slinking on her stomach to her carers, which they assume is because she is scared.
‘‘It does tug on the heartstrings ... watching them go, but its rewarding knowing you’re giving them a second chance,’’ Mr Scully said. ‘‘It’s about time she had a good life – she deserves better.’’