Tiny, 'Desperately' Sick Dog Abandoned at MSPCA Animal Hospital

Photo: Ursula, a 3-month-old poodle, is looking for a new home (Credit: MSPCA-Angell)

A tiny and “desperately ill” puppy that was brought in for treatment at the MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center in Jamaica Plain late last month was abandoned at the hospital and is now on the hunt for a new home.

In a news release Monday, MSPCA officials said that the dog, a 3-month-old poodle named “Ursula” who is small enough to fit inside a teacup, was brought into the hospital’s emergency department on Oct. 27 after her owner complained the pup was “listless and had stopped eating.” After looking further into her condition, hospital personnel discovered Ursula needed around-the-clock care to recover from a massive infection, and her owner chose to surrender her to the hospital.

As a result, the MSPCA began to care for the pup and spent close to $2,000 for diagnosis and related treatments. The costs were paid through a fund known as “Spike’s Fund” that pays for emergency medical treatment for animals in need.

“We’ve had a number of large surrenders and other special needs cases come through the door in recent months — animals that have required significant and costly medical care — and as a result this critical fund’s balance is extremely low,” said Alyssa Krieger, manager of the MSCPA Boston’s adoption center, in a statement. “This fund is a lifeline for the hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals who come to us every year with urgent medical concerns that we must address before putting them into new homes.”

Ursula, hospital officials said Monday, is now on the mend and was declared well enough to be discharged after two days of treatment.

For more information on Ursula or to learn more about adopting her, click here or email adoptions@mspca.org.