Meet Gino and his new dad, Ron Raikes, who adopted the pooch found with the worst case of mange the SPCA had seen. Photo / George Novak
Meet Gino and his new dad, Ron Raikes, who adopted the pooch found with the worst case of mange the SPCA had seen. Photo / George Novak
When SPCA inspectors first found Gino, the four-month-old puppy was wandering down the road alone and had the worst case of mange one SPCA centre had seen.
It's a far cry from the big-pawed, inquisitive pooch who now greets arrivals at his forever home.
The Taupō pup, who is nowabout a year old, features on the SPCA infamous list of shame released before its annual appeal.
Gino's story has a happy ending. He was adopted by Tauranga couple Ron and Delwyn Raikes and he greets us at the gate with legs not unlike a daddy long legs.
Watching him bound past his new dad, Ron Raikes, I am perplexed at how the pup doesn't trip himself up.
But as we clamber inside, hiding from the rain, it's the snout that has my attention. It's long and big, much like his paws and it suddenly has an important job to do.
"Are these people friend or foe?"
Gino is an inquisitive pooch that is full of love regardless of his rough start. Photo / George Novak
I see the question in his eye, but a little scratch behind the ear and for the next half hour we are inseparable. Even as I try to talk to Ron about his fun new life, I can't help but notice the pooch's gaze on me while he chews his bone as if to check he still has my attention.
Gino came into Taupō SPCA's care in June last year in a shocking condition, covered in such a severe case of mange that his legs and face were swollen, red and raw said SPCA inspector Toni Sullivan.
"It was definitely the worst case of mange I had ever seen," she said.
Head bowed, tail between his legs, Gino was found wandering along the road alone at about four months old.
A veterinarian immediately saw Gino, and in the first weeks of SPCA's care, he was given regular antibacterial baths to help his skin heal.
Gino as a little pooch when he first arrived at the SPCA. Photo / Supplied
He was also placed on a course of daily medication and antibiotics to help reduce the pain and swelling.
"We had to isolate him because of the risk of infection in his wounds ... He was a right mess when he came in here.
"He was on treatment for the mange, treatment for the swelling and treatment for the infection that was already in the wounds. And we were having to change his bedding two to three times a day," Sullivan said.
She said you could tell he was in pain and it pained her to watch him go through it.
"When it's preventable, if they had treatment a little bit earlier it wouldn't have been an issue. But when they come in like that, you don't quite know what goes through people's mind.
"It is hard, but when they come out the other side as beautiful amazing dogs like Gino is, it is just a huge win. You know you have really done your job and that is what we are here for."
Gino loves treats. Photo / George Novak
The Raikes were looking for a companion when they received a call from the SPCA to ask if they would like to meet Gino.
"All right let's go," the pair said to each other and by the following Friday Gino was in his new abode.
"We bought those pigs ears and while we were finishing the paperwork we thought that might comfort him, but by the time we had got back to the car he had finished it," Ron Raikes said.
"He has some good chompers on him. He's strong but gentle."
Meet Gino and his new dad, Ron Raikes, who adopted the pooch found with the worst case of mange the SPCA had seen. Photo / George Novak
Now Gino makes himself at home on the furniture and is quite the cuddler.
"He thinks he's a lap dog ... but it's not his fault he keeps growing so we will just deal with the consequences."
Raikes said the SPCA was perfect and although Gino had a rough start to life, he was glad the pup fell into the charity's hands.
"He has been brilliant ever since."
The SPCA list of shame has been released ahead of SPCA's appeal from March 1 to 7.
As well as Gino it features sheep and horses, an emaciated dog, a rabbit, a duck and cats. Some were euthanised.
The SPCA is a charitable organisation that needs $47 million to operate each year and relies heavily on public donations.
SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said while the list of shame could be "deeply distressing," it showed "the harsh reality of what our resilient SPCA inspectors go through every day".
"Our organisation works incredibly hard to protect our nation's most vulnerable animals from abuse, neglect and abandonment. However, the release of the list of shame makes it clear that violence towards animals continues to prevail across the country.
"The horrific cases from this year's list reminds us that there is still much to be done to tackle the issue of animal abuse and we're determined to give these animals the life they so desperately need and deserve."
Street collectors will be accepting donations during the appeal or you can donate at the SPCA website.
