When a story popped up on her phone reporting a RSPCA appeal about an abandoned Shih Tzu, Mazie, Robbie Grant knew she wanted to help.
It hadn’t been very long since her Shih Tzu RSPCA rescue dog Suki had sadly passed away earlier in the summer – who she had lovingly cared for two and a half years.
She had just given up on looking for another Shih Tzu to care for – but when RSPCA volunteer Robbie from Conwy heard about a poor female dog who was found on Shotton Lane – she hoped she could be the person to help her.
Dumped on a driveway, the Shih Tzu had been found in a pet carrier with heavily matted fur and taken to a vet, who subsequently called the RSPCA. She was taken into the charity’s care and an investigation was launched which included a press appeal.
Robbie had been due to start back volunteering at RSPCA Bryn Y Maen Animal Centre – for the first time after losing her beloved Shih Tzu.
“It was my first day back volunteering with the RSPCA since we lost her,” said Robbie. “I had just decided to stop looking for another Shih Tzu, when the Daily Post report came up on my phone about the dog who had been abandoned in Deeside.
“I rang Bryn Y Maen and found she was there and had been named Ivy. I didn’t sleep a lot that night. Before I went in I thought I would ring and I spoke to them and I said do you think we would be considered as a foster parent for Ivy, and they said yes!
“For the next week we spent every day with her and it did take four or five days for her to come and accept us. But by the end of the week she happily came home with us.
“We call her Mazie – the ‘May’ as she was found in May and Mazie in full because she is amazing.”
Robbie – who took on Mazie as a foster carer initially and has since adopted her fully – has discovered that Mazie may have just been around six months old when she was abandoned as she is only now coming up to her first birthday. It was estimated at the time she was around a year old.
Mazie is as happy as can be in her forever home, said Robbie.
“She rules the roost,” she said. “She has been just fantastic. She loves the beach. She can run and run and run!”
Animal care supervisor Callum Bartley said Robbie has been volunteering for the centre for around six years, and is always making everyone smile and laugh.
“We were all devastated to hear the news of Robbie’s previous dog passing,” he said. “When Robbie called the centre enquiring about Mazie we couldn’t have asked for a better person to take her on.
“Mazie came into our care really worried about life and people and clearly had no experiences of what a dog’s life should be. Robbie has done a wonderful job helping Mazie learn to walk on a lead and help Mazie feel better being around people.
“We are all really grateful for what Robbie has done and the continued support she does for the centre as a whole.”
Mazie’s abandonment in May was one of many heartbreaking incidents where animals have been dumped across Wales this year.
In Wales abandonment reports have risen 61% – from 997 in 2020 to a projected 1,610 this year. This compared to 1,192 reports in 2021 and 1,419 in 2022.
While across England and Wales already this year, up to the end of October, the animal welfare charity has received 17,838 reports of abandoned animals across England and Wales – which, if such trends continue, would equate to 21,417 reports over 2023.
This Christmas animal neglect and abandonment are at a three-year high. The combined effects of the pandemic and a cost of living crisis have meant more animals than ever will need the RSPCA’s help this year.
The RSPCA is raising awareness of the shocking reality facing abandoned and neglected pets this festive season – with the launch of its new Christmas film.
Join the Christmas Rescue and help the RSPCA be there for animals as neglect and abandonment soars.
