24 abandoned puppies find permanent homes
The puppies were found cowering and crying in a lorry at Cairnryan ferry port.
Twenty-four abandoned puppies have been rescued by the Scottish SPCA after being discovered in a lorry in Dumfries and Galloway.
The puppies, many of which had life-threatening diseases, have all since received medical treatment and been rehomed.
The Scottish SPCA were called to Cairnryan ferry port in January 2024, after a member of the public reported puppies crying and cowering inside a lorry. Rescue officers soon discovered cockapoo and cavapoo puppies that had been hidden inside cardboard boxes. They had been kept in poor conditions, without any food or water.
The dogs were taken to one of the charity’s rescue and rehoming centres, where they received an immediate health check.
All of the puppies were treated with antiparasitic treatment, and six required additional ear drops for live ear mites
Faecal testing revealed that the puppies had developed a variety of gastrointestinal issues, such as protozoal parasites and roundworms, as a result of the unsanitary conditions they had been kept in. This required round-the-clock care from the Scottish SPCA.
One of the puppies, Piper, was also diagnosed with a heart murmur. Piper was transferred to a local independent veterinary centre, CrumPets, which performed a life-saving heart operation free of charge.
CrumPets is one of the few veterinary centres who can provide this operation. They usually perform it only 3-5 times a year.
Without the operation, Piper could have died from heart failure within one year of age.
Due to the Scottish SPCA’s quick diagnosis, surgeons were able to operate before any permanent damage had been done to her heart. A follow-up examination and ultrasound revealed that the operation had been a complete success.
The Scottish SPCA initially estimated that the puppies’ rescue and veterinary treatment would cost around £25,000.
However, after a Crowdfunder was set up by the charity, donations from the public meant £23,000 was raised in just two days.
Due to the work of the Scottish SPCA, as well as local veterinary teams, all 24 of the puppies are now healthy and rehomed.
Anna O’Donnell, the Scottish SPCA’s fostering and rehoming lead, said: “While this is fantastic result for the Cairnryan puppies and the charity as a whole this sadly isn’t an isolated incident.
“While these pups have found their forever homes there are many more animals in the Scottish SPCA’s care who are looking for theirs.
“We’d urge people thinking of rehoming an animal to have an open mind about the kind of pet you could give a home to.”
Images © The Scottish SPCA
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
