Heartbreaking images have revealed the horrendous conditions in which abandoned dogs are kept with their fur so matted that even rescuers struggle to recognize the animals.
Niall Harbison, a Michelin chef turned dog rescuer, showed shocking photographs of the poor dogs, one of which was so malnourished he had worms in his eye on the day he was rescued.
Niall, who lives in Thailand, said the photos were sent to him on June 9, with a message asking for help for two dogs who had been seen trapped in cages.
Its condition was so bad that Harbison said he had to squint to recognize the animal as a dog.
He took the dogs to his Happy Doggo sanctuary and days later, after numerous vet visits and more than 12 hours of grooming, Niall was happy to share that the animals’ health had “completely improved.”
Heartbreaking footage shows the horrendous condition of the abandoned dogs with fur so matted that rescuers could barely recognise them.
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Although he shared that one of the dogs, Faith, will lose her eye, the dog rescuer assured people that such an event is “no big deal,” given the state she was initially in.
Niall works to rescue dogs through his charity, Happy Doggo, which he first set up in 2021 after recovering from a near-death experience due to substance abuse.
Although he shared that one of the dogs, Faith, will lose her eye, the dog rescuer assured people that such an event is “no big deal,” given the state she was initially in.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Niall shared a heartwarming update when he wrote: ‘Were at the beach today.
“It is hard to believe that just 16 days ago they were in cages with no hope and suffering from the heat, causing their fur to lose its life.”
She added: ‘They will continue their recovery for a few more weeks and then we will find them a permanent home together.
‘Two fun-loving little angels who deserve every moment together on the beach.’
Niall works to rescue dogs through his charity. Happy dogwhich he first created in 2021 after recovering from a near-death experience due to substance abuse.
While running around the Koh Samui area of Thailand in an effort to get his life back on track, Niall noticed several malnourished dogs, to whom he began bringing food and sharing videos online in the hope that they could be rescued.
After her videos began to attract worldwide attention, she began feeding and vaccinating as many dogs as she could, but quickly realized that spaying or neutering would be the only way to solve the problem in the long term.
In 2023, Niall travelled to Europe, the US and Dubai to host a series of dog walks, where animal lovers could meet.
After thousands of people came forward, one lucky shelter dog was even rescued.
Posting on X on Tuesday, Niall shared a heartwarming update as he wrote: ‘They were on the beach today. Hard to believe just 16 days ago they were in cages with no hope and dying from the heat of their fur.’
Since then, Niall’s tireless work has seen him secure land for a dog sanctuary, offering the sickest and most vulnerable animals much-needed space to recover before they can be cared for.
Speaking to MailOnline in 2023 about his incredible journey, Niall said: ‘I started the mission after ending up in the hospital’s ICU. I almost drank myself to death because I suffered from anxiety and depression.
“I spent three days there, and when I was about to die, I vowed to change my life and do something meaningful.”
Speaking about his ongoing struggle to stay sober, he added: “It’s not easy and I say that openly. I do it simply in the hope of helping someone somewhere who needs it.”
“I will never stop talking about it because it is still very stigmatized and considered a weakness in society.”
