Pregnant dog taken to safety after a year of hiding from welfare authorities

After a year and a half on the run from animal welfare authorities, a terrified stray dog is safely in the care of Dogs Trust Ireland having recently given birth to 10 puppies.

Flora, the two-year-old Foxhound managed to remain at large, despite the extensive efforts of volunteers from a Midlands animal rescue.

When she recently fell pregnant, she was finally caught and taken into the care of the charity’s dedicated puppy unit in Finglas.

The charity is now seeking loving homes for her 10 adorable, eight-week-old puppies and a very special home for fearful Flora.

Flora is now safely in the care of Dogs Trust Ireland with her litter. Photograph: ©Fran Veale

Sandra Ruddell, Assistant Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland explains:“Poor Flora has been through so much and was so avoidant of people that she managed to remain at large for almost 18 months.

“While she has come on a long way since arriving, she is still very worried by unfamiliar people and runs to the back of her kennel to hide if they approach, so we are taking things very slowly with her to gain her trust.

“Now that her puppies are ready to find homes, we are appealing for a very patient and understanding person to open their heart and their home to Flora. She will need a lot of rehabilitation and this will take much time and dedication. Flora is too worried to even walk on a lead at the moment, so will need a home with a big garden until she is confident enough to face the outside world.”

Despite having their rehoming centre in Dublin, Dogs Trust rehomes dogs all over Ireland, assisted by a network of foster families which they are hoping to grow.

Eimear Cassidy, Regional Rehoming Manager continues:

“We have 221 dogs waiting to be adopted at the moment and a very long list waiting to come into our care, as soon as we have space to take them.

“So, we are appealing to people to please consider adopting a dog or puppy and if you’re not in a position to do so, perhaps you could foster a dog instead?”

If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please visit www.DogsTrust.ie to see all of the dogs available.