The SPCA hopes that more of the 46,000 animals coming through its doors each year will find new homes. This summer, the Herald profiles animals that have been adopted and their owners as part of our My Rescue Pet series.

Dame Judy was described as having "scabby wool, runny eyes, underweight and sore feet".

But nothing was bad enough to turn away her new mother Jan Baker.

Dame Judy was found on the ground and unable to move when she was rescued by an Auckland SPCA inspector.

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Suffering a severe case of foot rot, with overgrown nails, and being worringly thin, the SPCA says it is a miracle she was still alive.

Staff dressed her in a pair of pink pyjamas to keep her warm and took food to her on her bed as she was dehydrated and weak, and all she wanted to do was sit down and rest.

The SPCA then put the call out to long-time supporter and foster parent Baker about Dame Judy.

"She is willing to trust and that is amazing. If I was to describe her in three words it would be resilient, sweet and happy," Baker said.

Dame Judy has fit in well in her new life with Baker, growing in confidence and putting on lots of weight.

READ MORE
• My Rescue Pet: Pancake - the sassy senior
• My Rescue Pet: Perkins the bunny groom
• My Rescue Pet: Jazz the SPCA office puppy
• My Rescue Pet: The dog that had to be a part of the family
• My Rescue Pet: Fourth time lucky for Roger
• My Rescue Pet: Couple have 39 rescue animals in their wedding party
• My Rescue Pet: Roxy the unwanted Jack Russell
• My Rescue Pet: Bailey the Christmas card pup
• My Rescue Pet: Mistletoe the wobbly kitten
• My Rescue Pet: Rudolph the billy goat

How to adopt

If you are interested in adopting a pet from the SPCA, visit www.rnzspca.org.nz or call the Auckland SPCA on (09) 256 7300.