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Meet Hooch

Hooch arrived at the RSPCA Burwood East Shelter earlier this year after his owners were reported to the RSPCA.

When RSPCA Inspectors attended to the report, they discovered the three year old American Bulldog in an emaciated state, and very close to the end of his young life.

Even though Hooch had a home, his owners had not been providing him with food. It’s assumed Hooch had been surviving on leaking water from a broken sewerage pipe in his backyard, but it’s not known how long he had been living in this condition.

With every bone on his body clearly visible, it was obvious that Hooch was suffering from severe malnutrition. When asked why Hooch had been allowed to deteriorate to such an appalling state, his owner cited financial reasons, and immediately surrendered Hooch to the RSPCA.

On arrival at the Burwood East Shelter, Hooch weighed just 23 kilograms, around 17 kilograms less than the healthy weight for an American Bulldog. He was without a doubt one of the worst cases of malnutrition we had seen.

Over the next seven weeks, Hooch was carefully monitored and fed a special diet to help restore lost muscle and body fat. Thanks to the efforts of RSPCA Vets, Animal Attendants and Volunteers, Hooch was eventually able to make a full recovery.

Hooch is now in excellent condition, and is an extremely proud member of a new family who love him dearly.

Fortunately, Hooch’s story has a happy ending, but only thanks to the invaluable support we receive from the community.

Last year alone, RSPCA Inspectors investigated over 14,400 cruelty complaints throughout Victoria and cared for over 40,000 animals. Yet funding from the State Government only covers 4% of the total amount it costs us to provide this care.

That’s why your donations are so vital.

You can help us put a STOP to animal cruelty and neglect by becoming an RSPCA Animal Ambassador.
Just $10 a month will help us rescue and rehabilitate thousands of abandoned, mistreated and neglected animals just like Hooch each year.

As an Animal Ambassador, you’ll be helping the RSPCA to:

• Rescue animals from cruel and neglectful conditions.

• Rehabilitate injured, stray and abandoned animals.

• Find new homes for animals in need.

• Speak for the animals that can’t speak for themselves.

By becoming an Animal Ambassador with a regular monthly donation of just $10, you can make a real difference to the lives of animals in Victoria. Please, make a caring commitment to animals in need and help change the lives of animals like Hooch.  Click here to join today.