Meet Matt, a 6-year-old dog who was once a picture of neglect, with fur so matted and tangled it had grown into his skin. His nails were overgrown, and his skin was rotten in spots. But thanks to the South Plains SPCA, Matt has undergone a transformation that’s nothing short of miraculous.
When the SPCA took Matt in, they were shocked by his condition. “It’s just awful that he was probably seen in different places and overlooked,” said Kim Moyers, SPCA president. But they were determined to give him a second chance.
Matt’s makeover was no easy feat. He had to be sedated to prevent pain during grooming, and the process revealed a staggering three pounds of matted fur – the result of five years of neglect. Thousands of goathead stickers, sticks, grass, and even beetles were embedded in his fur, causing severe bruises and anemia.
But after a professional grooming session, Matt emerged as a stunning, drop-dead gorgeous dog. His tail wagged, and his little bottom moved back and forth as he experienced his first walk without the burden of his matted fur.
Matt still has a road to recovery ahead, but he’s now in foster care with Tori Houston and will be up for adoption once he’s fully recovered. His story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, a second chance can make all the difference.