On a property in Harbin, China about 2000 dogs run around playfully, but one pup, who’s been traumatised by previous experiences, was too scared to leave her corner.
Harriet stood out from the other dogs at the Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors Animal Rescue Centre (SHS), she was a skinny husky who’s fur was tattered and filthy, sat still in the corner like a petrified statue.
But thanks to Rachel Hinman, a US volunteer for Harbin SHS, she and her colleagues were able to nurse her back to full health. Now Harriet looks completely different.
All the dogs at the property are under the care of Harbin SHS. They all come from similar circumstances – either strays or rescued from trucks on the way to slaughterhouses.
The woman who owns the building saves the dogs and keeps them safe from those who transport them to slaughterhouses and meat markets. She also allows Harbin SHS to take in dogs, such as Harriet, who are in need of the most help.
In Harriet’s case, Rachel and her fellow volunteers knew she was in desperate need of help.
Speaking to The Dodo, Rachel said:
We were visiting the property in May, and in the far back corner, I see this tiny little husky looking completely scared.
I tried reaching out, and she just sat there. We had no idea where she came from, but she was not doing well.
It was obvious to Rachel the extent and neglect Harriet suffered at the hands of her previous handlers.
Her fur was unkempt and matted with faeces, and her thin boney frame pointed to the fact she was suffering from malnutrition. She cut a tiny figure which at first, they thought was a ‘miniature husky’.
Posted by Emily Bobo Parker on Thursday, 2 August 2018
After acknowledging Rachel and the team in Harbin, SHS were there to take care of her and look after the once shy Husky. She’s said to have settled in right away as they took her on a trip to a veterinary clinic.
Rachel continued:
We thought she was a young puppy for sure, due to her size. But the vet checked her teeth and estimated she was probably eight months old.
She just must’ve been so malnourished that it affected her growth.
Stories such as Harriet’s have become all too familiar, and a lot don’t turn out to have the happy ending she was fortunate enough to have, according to Harbin SHS founders and full-time volunteers, Hayley Hayes-Fitzgerald, Aimee Clarke and Emily Parker.
Posted by Emily Bobo Parker on Thursday, 2 August 2018
Thankfully, Harriet had no serious medical issues, other than her matted fur and obvious signs of malnutrition. From there, the volunteer workers shaved off her tangled fur and gave her a long overdue bath before getting her settled into their rescue centre. She would stay there for about two months to heal and gain strength.
Rachel described Harriet as ‘quite and docile’, adding:
It took us a long time to shave off all her fur, but she sat there so patiently and never barked or growled. That really touched me. She had been through so much, and like many other dogs Harbin SHS rescues, was naturally sweet, playful and kind.
Posted by Emily Bobo Parker on Thursday, 2 August 2018
As she continued to gain strength Harriet also grew in confidence, and before she knew it, she was off on another amazing adventure, this time to Canada.
Rosee Vallee saw her picture online and she knew she wanted to adopt her. By the end of July, Harriet flew with a volunteer to San Francisco, where she met Rosee for the first time.
Rosee said:
I knew she was for me the second I saw her; she looked so sad and all I wanted to do was make her happy right away.
Since I have had her, we have gone on road trips, we have flown together, she went to Lake Louise [in Canada] … She is my princess. She loves everyone she meets.
Posted by Emily Bobo Parker on Thursday, 2 August 2018
Since joining Rosee’s family, the husky has been renamed Bailey. Se also has three other doggos for company, one of whom is another rescue dog from Harbin SHS, named Anezka.
Good to see things have worked out well for Bailey.
If you want to find out more about the Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors Animal Rescue head over to their website by clicking the link here.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via [email protected].
