Meet Luna, a 1-year-5-month-old Belgian Malinois Cross who has already endured more than any dog should in such a short life.

Luna’s early life was filled with pain. She, her siblings, and their mother were victims of physical abuse before being taken in by the RSPCA. There, she spent over a year confined to a kennel with a maximum of 15 minutes out this a day - sometimes none at all. Luna was surviving on inadequate food meant for small breeds, leaving her underfed and weighing just over 20kg.

Two months ago, we rescued Luna, determined to give her the second chance she deserved. From the moment we met her, she was gentle, loving, and playful, despite her past. But on the first day we noticed a limp on her back right leg. The RSPCA assured us it was likely due to increased exercise.

Just under two weeks after adoption, we went to Harrion’s Family Vets who were amazing with her. They made us aware that she will need an X-Ray to diagnosed her current condition due to it being possible hip dysplasia or problems with her knee. We approached the RSPCA for help due to her now not being able to weight bare at all on her leg. We had a meeting with the RSPCA Doncaster and Rotherham branch manager where he had forgotten my name and what the issue was that we’re discussing. He had to ask me in the meeting even though we had been emailing before hand, this was very unprofessional. He became agitated in the meeting and refused to pay or offer any support for her possible surgeries as he claims Luna had shown no signs of CCL disease while at the RSPCA. They did eventually agree to pay for her X-Ray but only if it was done by the same veterinary clinic who had apparently done physical checks on her before adoption where they should’ve have picked up on her injuries. However, as informed by veterinary staff CCL disease and their symptoms are not something that can happen and cause serious ligament damage in under 2 weeks. I then had to make a formal complaint, where they eventually offered partial support for only one leg, the back right leg. However due to this taking weeks to resolve, my insurance coverage had lapsed — a delay they were aware of — leaving me to shoulder the full cost of Luna’s second surgery on her back left leg. The first surgery was done only 2 weeks ago, but now her other ligament has snapped, and she urgently needs TPLO surgery costing around £3,450. Likely extra for follow up costs.

For the last month, Luna has been confined to a crate 24/7 and tethered in the garden just to go to the toilet. After surviving so much, this is no life for her. She deserves to run, play, and finally live the joyful, pain-free life we promised her when we rescued her.

We’re doing everything we can, but we can’t do this alone. Every donation, no matter how small, brings Luna one step closer to walking and running freely again.

If you’re unable to donate, please share Luna’s story. Your kindness can give her the happy ending she’s been waiting for.

Thank you for helping Luna get back on her paws