Dog left for dead in clothing bin is new SPCA poster boy

From animal abuse survivor to loved family member and Tauranga SPCA poster boy - it's fair to say life is looking up for Skip.

The Bay of Plenty Times visited the 8-month-old puppy yesterday at his owner Isabell Zitzelsberger's office, where he was fetching pens and doing tricks.

Isabell, a breast cancer survivor, said ''Skip and I rescued each other, we balance each other out perfectly''.

Animal abuse survivor Skip is the new poster boy for the Tauranga SPCA and will attend its cup cake fundraiser next month with his new owner Isabell Zitzelsberger. Photo/Andrew Warner

She had an epiphany during chemotherapy treatment and decided to focus on life and get a dog.

Like his owner, Skip has also faced his own health battles. The pup was thrown into a clothing bin earlier this year and left for dead.

Skip was abandoned earlier this year.

He was found wrapped in towels at the sorting station, severely underweight, dehydrated and suffering from a skin condition.

But after intensive vet treatment and a two-month stint with foster parents, Skip was adopted by Isabell and her partner Sascha Haag.

Now he has his own Instagram account and has become an adventure dog who loves rock fishing, mountain biking and hiking in the Coromandel, and could easily run 20km, Isabell said.

Animal abuse survivor Skip is the new poster boy for the Tauranga SPCA.

He could also bring the couple their house keys, lay down, shake paws, spin around and sit on his hind legs.

''Skip is so clever and loves learning. He is also hard to exhaust physically so sometimes we can go for four walks a day, he likes the beach but hasn't started swimming yet.

''But I think he will do that in summer because he hates the cold and loves the sunshine and curling up in front of the fire.''

On first introductions, Isabell said he was a timid dog and would softly growl at people but, he had made doggy friends.

''Skip is a very social, his best friend is a golden retriever in Pyes Pa and a boxer puppy from next door.''

Now Skip was looking forward to being the Tauranga Cupcake Fun Day mascot next month and would be attending the event.

SPCA Cupcake Fun Day
Saturday August 12
At Tauranga SPCA from10.30am to 2.30pm
Cupcake making competitions (information available on Facebook)
Kids entertainment and animal petting corner
Sausage sizzle and cupcakes on sale