The story of Daria, found emaciated and distressed on a property near Tuai five months ago, had a happy ending.
"But that is not always the case unfortunately," Hawke's Bay SPCA manager Bruce Wills said.
This week is the SPCA's annual appeal. It brings in much-needed funds for inspectorate costs and highlights some of what Mr Wills said were shameful acts of animal abuse, and helps educate people about animal care.
Officers travelled to Tuai after reports of a dog tied up on an open property, with no shelter or water, emaciated and suffering from mange.
"It was not good," Mr Wills said as the dog was picked up and brought to Napier for treatment and recovery. The owner could not be found.
The only downside, although a downside he and staff were happy to experience, was saying farewell.
"You do form a strong relationship but hey, it is nice to see them go to a good home."
Mr Wills said tip-offs about abuse and cruelty from members of the public sparked most of the SPCA's rescue missions, and in many cases prosecution of former owners.
"We need to keep the awareness of this at a high level."
Some of the extreme cases which made the SPCA's annual List of Shame include a puppy who suffered 11 fractures, endured massive swelling to her face and could not open her jaw after a brutal beating by her Christchurch-based owner.
Daria when she was found on a property near Tuai.
And a Horowhenua woman whose horse had collapsed and was so malnourished it had to be euthanised, a Hamilton woman who failed to seek vet treatment for a large, painful open wound on her cat's shoulder, and an Auckland dog owner whose animal was discovered chained up, emaciated and suffering from mange, ringworm, chronic ear infections and anaemia.
SPCA acting chief executive Andrea Midgen said the List of Shame highlighted some of the worst animal abuse offences but it was still only the tip of the iceberg.
"Our SPCA inspectors investigated a record 15,219 animal welfare complaints last year and this List of Shame is the culmination of these - the very worst cases of horrible animal abuse, neglect and cruelty."
Mr Wills said there was a large amount of "low-level neglect" - in most cases animals locked or chained up for long periods and unable to exercise.
It was the work of SPCA inspectors that gave several of the animals on the List of Shame the chance of a better life.