Puppy abandoned on cold night outside SPCA safe and 'well-loved'
A young puppy, now named Cari, was found abandoned outside SPCA Gisborne centre, and is now being especially cared for by staff.
Staff arrived to work on Monday morning and found the puppy had been left outside the premises overnight in a taped-up cardboard box.
After reviewing security footage, they found that Cari had been left on the deck at approximately 6.38pm the previous evening.
Temperatures dropped to just 3C overnight and the footage showed the puppy spending hours trying to escape from the box.
SPCA Gisborne Centre Manager Kayla Newman said: "Cari was freezing cold, frightened and distressed when our team arrived in the morning."
A note was left with the puppy that stated she had been found on the side of the road and the finder hoped that the centre could find her a good home.
"Cari is doing really well, it took some time to warm her up properly after being left in the cold all night," Newman said.
Cari is estimated to be around nine weeks old and has been "well loved and looked after" by staff.
"She is going into a foster home to complete her seven-day stray hold period to build her confidence up after her traumatic experience."
The SPCA reminded the public there were safer options available after picking up stray animals.
"If you find a stray or abandoned animal, there are safer options available than leaving them outside and alone overnight. We encourage people to reach out to an after-hours veterinary clinic, contact your local council or Animal Control, or if possible, provide temporary care until help is available.
"No animal deserves to suffer alone, cold, and in the dark.
"Our message is to educate people to please not abandon animals on our doorstep. While people may have good intentions, animals can suffer from exposure, stress, dehydration, injury, or worse when left alone without anyone knowing they're there – especially in winter. The fact that Cari avoided those fates is simply luck."
– by Tyra Harrison for 1News.