Update: Oliver now recovering well at the Boksburg SPCA

Oliver, the dachshund-cross that was surrendered to the Boksburg SPCA in a car oil-soaked bucket is back at the society following his admission to the vet for treatment.

According to the Boksburg SPCA manager, Vicky Finnemore, Oliver is making progress although a lot of work still needs to be done to get him fully recovered.

“He is now back at the SPCA, but due to his weak immune system we are not allowing anyone to visit him,” she said.

Finnemore said they’ve had scores of animal lovers all around the world who’ve made financial contributions towards Oliver’s medical treatment. “Due to the overwhelming public support we’ve received, we have been able to give Oliver the best medical care that would never have been afforded to him otherwise.”

Oliver was brought into the SPCA by his owner recently who told staff he no longer wanted the dog and said it had been sick for a long time.

“The owner put the bucket down and inside was a brown, skeletal figure of what looked like a dog, soaked in car oil. The little guy lifted his head and looked around and when we pulled him out of the bucket we noticed he could still walk. We knew there may be hope.”

The little dog was rushed to a vet for assessment. SPCA staff had to bathe Oliver four times to remove the car oil from his body. After his bath, Oliver was given a bowl of food, which he devoured in seconds.

Oliver has a brother
Meanwhile, there’s been a complete turn of events to the Oliver story. It has come to light that Oliver has a brother who has also been surrendered to the Boksburg SPCA following the Boksburg SPCA’s inspection of the owner’s home.

According to Finnemore, the society’s inspectorate visited the home where Oliver lived and it was discovered there was another cross-dachshund on the premises.

“This dog was in better condition than Oliver, though there were some serious concerns as to his living conditions. A warning was left at the property, giving the owners 24 hours to rectify conditions and to phone our inspector.”

Finnemore said after receiving no communication from the owner, one of the inspectors again visited the property.

“After spending some time raising the concerns found and educating the owner on the basic requirements needed to keep a dog, the owner decided to surrender the remaining dog into the care of the Boksburg SPCA.”

Finnemore said just like Oliver, the dog, which has been named Huckleberry, had huge distrust in people.

“We have dewormed him, sent him to the vet for a check-up and, apart from the major trust issues, no other underlying health issues were identified. While our inspectorate is collating all the information around Oliver’s neglect and surrender, we wish to remind the public that as woefully neglected and thin as Oliver is, he was not dumped or discarded and left to die. He was brought into the sanctuary of our society for surrender,” said Finnemore.

Also Read: Boksburg SPCA grateful for donation

Also Read: SPCA reports bucket pup is doing well