Danaher Animal Home finds loving home for adorable puppy

Albi was born with an unusual condition called Microphthalmia, causing one of his eyes to be small.

Albi’s mum, a shih tzu cross called Luna, was taken in by the RSCPA’s Danaher Animal Home in Wethersfield, Braintree in May 2024.

Luna was rescued by the local council as a stray.

The two-year-old was checked over by a vet who discovered she was pregnant.

Rescue- Luna was taken in by the RSPCA after she was found as a stray. (Image: RSPCA)

Danaher manager Sam Garvey said: “Poo Luna was in an awful state, and we soon realised that she was also pregnant.

“Two of our animal care assistants, Franki and Dilan, spent a lot of time with her and fell in love with her.

“She was really stressed and unsettled in kennels, so they took her home to help her rest before her pups arrived.

“Then, on June 25, Lune hopped up onto Franki’s bed and gave birth to five puppies—we were only expecting four so that was a surprise.”

Puppies- Luna surprised everyone and gave birth to five puppies. (Image: RSPCA)

Albi was the third puppy to arrive, and despite being the biggest and noisiest puppy, he was the last to open his eyes.

After a few days, sisters and colleagues Franki and Dilan Ryan noticed that his right eye looked different and took him to see the vet, where he was diagnosed.

Dilan Ryan said: “We’d noticed that Albi was loud and would often struggle to find the other pups when they were having free time running around our lounge.

Small- One of Albi's eyes is smaller than the other, and vets suspect he may also have hearing issues. (Image: RSPCA)

“Sometimes he can lose his balance, run into things and will sit facing the wrong direction, away from his siblings.

“Then we spotted that his other eye, which is of normal size, doesn’t quite look in the right direction.”

She continued: “The vet believes this is likely a distortion of his healthy eye and that he may well be partially sighted or completely blind, so it’s something we’ll need to monitor going forwards.”

Due to Albi’s pure white colouring, vets suspect he may also have some extent of hearing loss.

Home- Albi and his siblings will have a home together, with their mother Luna also finding a family. (Image: RSPCA)

Manager Sam said: “We launched an online appeal to find Albi a home with someone who would be able to see past his medical issues and offer home somewhere safe and loving while he grows, with someone who can cope with any challenges he has with his sight and hearing when we know the full extent of it.

“The appeal was so successful that we’ve managed to find wonderful new homes for Albi and all of his siblings, Trip, Rex, June, and Gizmo.

“Their mum, Luna, has also had a fabulous new home who have been patiently waiting for her while she takes care of the pups.”

To find out more about adopting an RSPCA animal please visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet