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A small, light-coloured puppy stands on an examination table while two people in gloves and green clothing gently handle it, suggesting a veterinary check-up.

A painful start for a tiny puppy

Every day a vulnerable pet like Esme needs our help. Will you be there for them when they need it most?

£

£45 could help provide a welcome kit for a dog like Esme – a comfy bed, toys, and loving care on day one.

£

£8 a month could go towards welcome kits including a comfy bed, toys, and loving care.

Woodgreen Pets Charity is a registered charity (no. 298348)

Just in time to get the care she needed

The day tiny puppy Esme was abandoned at Woodgreen, she was in a shocking state – freezing cold, severely underweight and suffering with diarrhoea. She was so small we had to warm her up in a bed for a guinea pig.

But then we noticed something concerning – her front legs were crooked. We diagnosed her with carpal laxity syndrome. Heartbreakingly, the condition could prevent her from learning how to walk properly. We needed to act fast.

We placed Esme in an experienced foster home where she would receive daily physiotherapy sessions. “We stretched her little paws up and down in a paddling motion and we’d do this up to three times a day,” Esme’s foster carer, Amber, remembers.

A small light brown puppy with big eyes sits in a crate, surrounded by a plush dog toy and an orange soft toy. The background shows the bars of the crate out of focus.

Learning to live with wonky legs

After a month of daily physiotherapy and regular vet support, Esme’s tiny legs could finally keep up with her fearless personality, and she was ready to be rehomed.

Worryingly, so many other vulnerable pets will need similar urgent care from the moment they arrive at Woodgreen. But it’s not just day one that matters – every day that follows is just as important.

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