‘A skeleton with skin’: RACC nursing starving stray puppy back to health

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — In an uplifting “tail” of sorts — a dog found nearly starving to death in Richmond is now on the path to recovery.

A Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) officer recently rescued a puppy, who has since been named “Fawn,” from the streets of Richmond.

“She is a skeleton with skin and is the sweetest little dog in the entire world,” said the shelter’s director, Christie Chipps Peters.

According to RACC, with a “body score” of one out of nine, Fawn is one of the skinniest animals the team has cared for — her ribs could be easily seen poking out through her soft brown coat. Chipps Peters told 8News that the tiny dog has followed a strict feeding diet and almost needed surgery for an intestinal blockage.

“We’re always so grateful, because we have our foundation” Chipps Peters said. “We don’t even have to think twice about agreeing to a foreign body [extraction] or a surgery, because we have those funds available.”

Fawn did not end up needing the surgery, but RACC said they are thankful that the RACC Foundation would have made it possible if it was necessary.

Fawn is now stabilized and ready for the next chapter in her new life.

“She’s the skinniest of the ‘skinnies,’ because there is no meat to her bones,” Chipps Peters said. “Yet she’s still happy and bright and sweet and is so lovable.”

Fawn’s story is all too common — Chipps Peters said RACC has been taking in more and more skeletal animals in need of help.

“We understand that times are tight,” Chipps Peters said. “[But] starving a pet… there is absolutely no excuse for that, truly, when there are resources available to you and we can help, other agencies across the city can help you. It’s so sickening because it’s such a solvable problem.”

Chipps Peters told 8News that Fawn has a bright future ahead and will be up for adoption once she puts on a little more weight.

If you need help feeding your pet, you’re encouraged to stop by Richmond Animal Care and Control to see how they can help. More information about RACC can be found here and more information about the RACC Foundation can be found here .

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