Animal protection officers from the BC SPCA went into the wilderness to rescue 10 dogs who were left stranded after their guardian was hospitalized.

According to the agency, 10 malamute-husky cross dogs were left stranded on a remote property more than two hours north of Fort St. John due to the unexpected circumstances.

Photo Credit: BC SPCA

“Thankfully, we were alerted to the situation and our officers were able to reach the property to provide food and water and to do an initial health inspection on the dogs,” said Eileen Drever from the BC SPCA. 

“Access to the property is about 150 metres from a main road and the dogs were kept tethered outdoors further in on the property. When the dogs saw our officers approaching they began barking frantically – they were so excited to see people.”

Photo Credit: BC SPCA

Officers provided food and water to the dogs, which Drever says they ate “voraciously,” and checked each one for any immediate health concerns.

From a hospital in Edmonton, the dogs’ guardian asked to surrender the dogs to the BC SPCA as he was not sure when he was able to return and had no one else to care for them.

Photo Credit: BC SPCA

“Because of the remoteness of the property and the snowy winter conditions, we had to come up with a creative solution to transport them to Prince George as quickly as possible,” Drevner explained.

The BC SPCA ended up hiring a cargo plane from Upper Valley Aviation, which had room to fly six of the dogs in crates from Fort St. John to Prince George. The rest were transported by road.

Photo Credit: BC SPCA

“The dogs are in good health overall and appear quite friendly,” added Drever. “We’re just relieved that we were able to get them off that remote property and somewhere safe and warm where they will receive the on-going care and attention that they need.”

There is no word yet on when the dogs will be available for adoption.