This is baby Rhino (although her amazing foster dad, Josh, calls her Sweetpea). Rhino came to WAGS (Westminster Adoption Group & Services, a no kill shelter in Westminster Ca) in January with a large adult female they believe was her mom, Charlotte. They were picked up by Animal Control wandering around the Big Lots parking lot. Starving and sick. Both with severe mange. They’d clearly been dumped. Charlotte had the worst mange one of the volunteers had seen in 18 years of rescue and sadly she ended up
dieing of pneumonia and lil Rhino (maybe 2 months old) was sick and alone. They put some weight on Rhino and treated her kennel cough and mange.

After 2 months Rhino was adopted by what appeared to be a sweet
couple. WAGS provided them with assistance in continuing her mange treatment and waited for them to return to have Rhino Spayed. They brought back a mangled starving pup covered in mange worse then when she was taken in the first time. It was obvious she had been tied up outside for 2 months and ignored. Her collar had cut open her neck and her head looked like hamburger. Her belly and armpits had nothing but open sores. They acted as if she was fine! And dismissed the wounds by saying that a “chicken had pecked at her.”

WAGS has begun the process to have charges filed against these people despite the apathy of local law enforcement officials. Despite the tremendous pain she was in she still wiggled and kissed all of the familiar WAGS staff. Even worse, her first stool was nothing but birdseed and grass.

The vets began treating her immediately but she had to be sedated in order care for her wounds. 2 days later Josh picked her up to foster. A happy stinky bloody mess but hands out KISSES for everyone. Bleeding everywhere as thick scabs ripped she still wanted to jump and play but fatigue has been the norm. Lots of sleeping, lots of curling up on her foster dad’s lap and if its not available she snuggles with his precious Pibble Buttercup.

Rhino is about 6mo now barely 40lbs. She is eating good, taking her meds, putting up with painful medicine baths and for the second time. Her foster dad, Josh, said, “the humans that tried to ruin the happiest most attentive and loving dog have failed! It will take time and her lil body is fighting hard, but she will get better! Have no doubt!”

The Stand Up For Pits Foundation is helping baby Rhino on her long road to recovery. If you too would like to help Rhino go to wagspetadoption.org to donate and be sure to write Restore Rhino in the notes section so it goes directly to her.

I will keep you all updated on this little hippos road to recovery. #gorhinogo

rhino wounds