Versace goes home

Versace has made a great recovery, and has turned a major corner. We felt it was time to get him started on the next big adventure of life - a family to call his own. "Sue" his new Mum responded to the call for help with his need for surgery and gave generously as did many others. Sue also inquired about the possibility of Versace sharing his life with her and her three felines and another Rotti.
How could Versace be deprived such a wonderful opportunity? And so on a cold and wet and windy Saturday last Versace left the SPCA for the wide open spaces.... We will keep in touch with Sue and Versace and give updates over the next few months. Tears were shed, but these were tears of joy at knowing collectively we all saved Versace and he has this biggest and brightest future ahead of him.
Thank you everyone from all around New Zealand and those living offshore. I think we can proudly say "job well done" . Woof Woof.




Sue and Versace start a new life together



Waikato SPCA Team

Versace playing with a friend!

Here is a video of Versace playing with a recently adopted puppy.

One week after Versace’s surgery we can report great progress. The surgery has been very successful and Versace is bounding around as any normal puppy of his age should be. He is into mischief and has taken on the role of paper shredder at the SPCA office!!!

Full of fun he is enjoying a second chance at life and the pain and suffering of only one week ago is a distant memory.

Versace will have his stitches out soon, and be ready to be placed into a permanent loving home. Over the last week we have considered several possibilities in respect to his new home and can report we have matched Versace with a wonderful lady by the name of Sue. Versace will go on to share a home with three cats and a beautiful eight year old female Rottweiller. The family have all met and there was much excitement.

If Versace continues to recover at the present rate it is hoped he may be able to go to his new home next Saturday the 26th of July. We will keep you all posted…

We are very disappointed that those responsible for this sheer act of cruelty have not been identified and bought to justice. The thought of other puppies going through this same torture and pain is unbearable.

Through the kind generosity of the many caring and compassionate supporters of Versace donations received have totalled approximately $4000. Versace’s surgery was thankfully covered through these donations and his ongoing veterinary bills also. To the many people that came into our office, posted or deposited funds direct into the SPCA account to help Versace, a big thank you. Through your support Versace’s surgery was immediate, and his suffering ended very quickly. We would like to thank Jenny from Carevets Hamilton South for their care and attention to Versace’s needs.

Sadly, the day after Versace featured in the Waikato Times another equally deserving canine and puppies entered our facility. Naomi is her name, probably no more than one year in age, emaciated with broken ribs and left abandoned in a paddock with five puppies!!! Unlike Versace, she did not make the news but her pain and suffering was measurable also. When she arrived at our Haven broken and worn staff patted her and in true animal style she licked their hands. After all that Naomi and Versace have been through at the hands of humans all they ever wanted was love and to be treated fairly.

We regard the animals that make it to the SPCA as the “lucky survivors”, sadly there are just too many animals out there whose stories and never ending suffering go untold.

Thank you for being part of Versace’s story – and for giving him the opportunity of further life chapters.

Here is a video of Versace from this morning - enjoy!

More to come soon.

Versace is doing well!

It's been four days since our precious little pup had his tail-reconstruction surgery and, as already mentioned, we are delighted with the results.

On Saturday morning, Versace was whining in his crate whenever he thought someone was in the office. I don't think many people can resist cute little puppy faces, SPCA staff and volunteers included, so we just had to let him out!
As soon as his door was open, he pranced out, wiggling his clean-shaven bottom behind him. After a quick strut around the office [checking out who was working... and who wasn't, probably!] he found a stray kitten toy lurking somewhere only a little pup could find it. This pink toy provided much joy for Versace - and everyone in the office! The delight on his face after chasing and catching the ball was priceless.

This lovely Monday morning saw Versace head off to the vets, bright and early, for a vet check. We can happily report that Versace's check confirmed surgery has gone very well, and Versace's tail and stitching is healing nicely.

Versace is spending his days at the SPCA Haven, where he is being closely monitored and has company at all times. Evenings are spent in the company of an SPCA staff member and family.

He is displaying normal puppy tendencies and appears much brighter than this time last week!

Having a sleep in...


Waking prior to vet check.

Well that's it for now folks. Keep a look out for the next update in a couple of days - hopefully with a video included!

- Versace and the entire Waikato SPCA team.

Great news!

Versace had surgery on his tail today, and the results are fantastic!

He is in a bit of pain and is drowsy, which is understandable, but hopefully he will perk up in good time.

Thank you once again for the constant stream of support and donation offers, we really do appreciate it.

The end result - thanks Jenni!



Versace a few hours after surgery


Versace back at the Haven

Pup's sad tail has happy ending.

Pup's sad tail has happy ending
By BEN STANLEY - Waikato Times Friday, 11 July 2008

Versace the puppy headed into surgery today with a brighter future after the Waikato SPCA received offers of funding and support from as far afield as Hong Kong.

The three-month-old rottweiler was found wandering the streets of Silverdale, Hamilton, last week after having his tail crudely hacked off in a botched backyard tail docking.

The Waikato Times ran the story of Versace's plight in Wednesday's paper and since then the Waikato SPCA have been inundated with messages of support, and offers to help pay for the $800 surgery to help heal the wound.

The surgery will take place at Hamilton South Vet Clinic in Glenview.
Vanessa, a Waikato SPCA volunteer, said the response had been overwhelming: "We are absolutely stoked, and eternally grateful. It shows that there are people out there who definitely care."

She said that the phone had been going "red hot" since Wednesday, with offers of funding from as far south as Dunedin and Christchurch.

"Dozens" of emails had also been flooding in, including one from Hong Kong. The Waikato Times even received an offer to pay for the surgery from Western Australia.

The SPCA is about to start a blog of Versace's journey to recovery on its website, http://www.waikato.spca.net.nz/.

People with any information on who was responsible for cutting off Versace's tail can call the SPCA inspectorate team on 021 754 198.

The SPCA has a policy of not revealing the surnames of staff and volunteers.





Courtesy of the Waikato Times and http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikatotimes/4615421a6579.html

Many thanks.

We have received many phone calls and emails of support and offers of donations, for which we are exceedingly grateful!

Versace is a brave wee pup, who has touched many hearts at the Haven already.
Although still quite sad, Versace is a real sweet heart, enjoying many cuddles and kind words. He takes everything in his stride, rarely complaining and always full of wet puppy kisses!

If you are interested in donating to the Versace Fund, you can do so in any of the following ways:

Physical Address:

Waikato SPCA, 219 Ellis Street, Frankton, Hamilton.

Mailing address for cheques:

Versace Fund, Waikato SPCA, PO Box 15085, Dinsdale.

Bank Account details for Automatic Payment:

ANZ - Frankton
WAIKATO SPCA
01-0327-0007650-00


Thank you very much,

From Versace and the entire team at the Waikato SPCA!

http://www.waikato.spca.net.nz/

Having a scratch.

Versace's tail - red, raw and very sore, prior to surgery

Botched tail docking leaves pup fighting for life.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4613098a11.html

Botched tail docking leaves pup fighting for life
By BEN STANLEY - Waikato Times Wednesday, 09 July 2008


The SPCA says a puppy which had its tail hacked off in "rough, backyard butcher fashion" may not survive without surgery.

Versace, a three-month-old rottweiler mix, has been in SPCA care since it was found in severe pain wandering the streets of Silverdale, Hamilton, last week.

Vanessa, a volunteer at SPCA who would not give her surname, described the incident as "absolutely horrific". "It is up there as one of the most horrible things we've seen come in here," she said. "When he first came in, he was a cowering mess."

Versace, who was named by SPCA staff, had its tail docked in a way that made it unlikely the wound would heal on its own.

The action is viewed as a severe offence under the Animal Welfare Act of 1999 and is punishable with up to six months in jail or a fine of up to $25,000.

Versace needs surgery to properly fix the wound, with skin grafts and completed surgery costing more than $800.

He has been undergoing veterinary treatment with antibiotics and painkillers.

Vanessa is hoping that the public respond to lend a hand, or a paw, to the brave little pup.

"He is such a beautiful puppy with a really nice nature, who deserves a chance. We just want to save this little guy's life." She said that without surgery Versace would likely have to be put down.

Former Labour MP Dianne Yates, who unsuccessfully led the moves to ban dog tail docking with a private members bill, said tail docking was something the perpetrators should be deeply ashamed of.

"There is no reason to do it except fashion," she said.

"As far as the law is concerned, it is absolutely appalling. It should be banned."

Donations towards surgery can be sent to the Versace Fund, Waikato SPCA, PO Box 15085, Dinsdale. The SPCA asks anyone who has information which may lead to the apprehension of anyone involved in injuring Versace to call the SPCA Inspectorate team on 021 754 198. The SPCA has a policy of not revealing the surnames of staff and volunteers.

Photo: IAIN McGREGOR/Waikato Times