Cotton Candy was one of 22 dogs who came to the SPCA through a cruelty seizure in Kings County. Despite living in harsh conditions, Cotton Candy was super-sweet and special. Upon arriving at our shelter, we discovered she was just days away from expecting a litter of puppies!
On February 5th at the Dartmouth Shelter, we found out that “sweetness” ran in the family when Cotton Candy gave birth to what might be the cutest puppies we’ve ever seen! But when several of the puppies began to take ill, we learned that some bad traits ran in their bloodline as well –sadly, likely the result of inbreeding.
Many of the puppies were born with heart problems while Cotton Candy and her litter-mates each dealt with socialization problems, heart complications, and mobility issues of their own. But the good news is that the pups couldn’t have been born in a better spot. They received the urgent treatment they needed at the SPCA Hospital and were bottle-fed around the clock by a care team when Cotton Candy wasn’t able to supply enough milk.
Once old enough, Cotton Candy’s puppies joined the WOOF Program. WOOF, which stands for “Working on our Future,” is a joint initiative between the Nova Scotia SPCA and the Department of Justice where puppies get to visit the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside for training. Under the direction of an expert SPCA trainer, they are paired with screened inmates who prepare the puppies to be adoption-ready. The puppies receive the care and socialization they need to ensure their success in a forever home, while the inmates are given the opportunity to learn responsibility, patience, and respect– skills that can help change the direction of their lives. They receive unconditional love from each other that may have been missing in their lives before. It’s a win-win for everyone!
All 22 dogs and Cotton Candy’s puppies found loving, kind homes. Please join us in wishing the puppies well in their journey to happiness! If you’re interested in adding a furry friend to your family, check out our adorable adoptable animals here.