Rescuing Rocco

At the start of this year, we were confronted with a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of puppy farming, and the fact that such unscrupulous breeding still goes on, despite the introduction of new legislation in recent years to combat it.

During the peak of the cold weather, we were contacted by another rescue that specialises in the rehoming of Chow Chows. They had found a Chow puppy with a broken leg being sold online. Desperate to ensure the pup could get the treatment it needed, they purchased him.

Upon collection of the poorly pup, the team spotted Rocco in a terrible state, and being forced to live outside. They didn’t have the resources to help him, so they contacted NAWT.

Rocco's Background

Rocco was a stud dog used to breed Chow pups, and his treatment was akin to what you’d see on a puppy farm. His owners used him to breed puppies for their own financial gain, whilst they demonstrated a complete disregard for his welfare. The day he arrived into our care, he didn’t even look like a Chow himself because he had lost most of his fur to mange and his broken little body was covered in open wounds and sores. Every movement caused Rocco to cry out in pain and our team had to sedate him for several days to get enough medication in him to stop his cries. He was very close to a euthanasia decision to end the agony.

Rocco's time at NAWT

We held on to hope that if we could just treat his initial wounds, we would uncover the underlying cause of his suffering and provide him with the vital help he so desperately needed.

Thanks to the incredible dedication of our vets, in just one week, we witnessed a remarkable transformation. For the very first time in his life, Rocco found people who genuinely cared about his wellbeing and were committed to helping him. He transitioned from crying in agony to becoming a happier boy who accepted everyone he encountered.

Our charity exists to help pets like Rocco, but such extreme cases of cruelty and neglect seem to be becoming more common place, and the cost to the charity to treat and care for these animals continues to rise because of it.

Rocco's Future

Thankfully, Rocco’s story doesn’t end there. Despite everything he has been through, Rocco has shown himself to be a gentle, loving dog with a huge amount of resilience. After nine weeks of intensive care and treatment from our vet and welfare team, the transformation in him is incredible. In fact, he has responded so well that the vet believes he’ll eventually be able to come off all medication and go on to live a normal, pain-free, happy life.

The best news? Rocco has now gone to his forever home to start a new life as the cherished family pet he should have always been. His new owners said:

"Rocco joined our family yesterday. He is a 4-year-old Chow Chow who was "rescued" from Romania only to be used as a stud dog for many years and tied up outside in winter, causing lesions, fur loss and illness. The amazing NAWT gave him so much care, and he will now enjoy a life of sofas, treats and walkies"

It’s only with your support that transformational stories like Rocco’s can exist. We can’t do it without you. Please donate today to save more dogs like Rocco from horrifying neglect and maltreatment, and to introduce them to a better world where they truly are Man’s best friend.