Peta transforms sick stray pup to healthy dog with loving family

Yuri’s condition after 12 weeks of care. He is now happy, healthy, and with a new loving family. | PHOTOS: Peta Asia Pacific

MANILA, Philippines – Yuri was a malnourished stray dog when an animal welfare group found him. After 12 weeks of care, he is happy, healthy, and with a new loving family.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) described the young dog as “practically a walking skeleton” with ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne bacterial infection that could damage the animal’s nervous system, according to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Yuri’s condition before he was found by an animal welfare group. | PHOTOS: Peta Asia Pacific

Peta had Yuri taken to veterinary care, neutered, and vaccinated. Peta’s Facebook reel posted on Tuesday showed that by his third week under care, he regained weight and strength enough to play tug-of-war. He was adopted by a loving family by week 12.

“Yuri is one of the lucky ones, but thousands of dogs like him are still suffering on the streets without food, clean water, or a safe home,” Peta cruelty case worker Ross Rowalle said.

“Peta is calling on everyone to do their part by being kind to stray animals, never buying dogs or cats from breeders, and having their own animal companions spayed or neutered,” Rowalle added.

Yuri’s condition before he was found by an animal welfare group. | PHOTOS: Peta Asia Pacific

Last March, citing Peta’s statements on companion animal overpopulation, a lawmaker proposed tax incentives for people who adopt stray and impounded cats and dogs.

READ: Tax incentive proposed for people who adopt stray animals

Peta’s Ampon Alaga program rescues animals like Yuri. It also offers free spaying and neutering services for animals and promotes the adoption of native cats and dogs.