Warning: This story contains some graphic content which some people may find disturbing.

Deep in the Lower Kaimai on a 10-acre farm, Vada’s Angels provides a refuge for abused and abandoned dogs, offering hope and happiness rather than euthanasia at a council pound.

“We’re currently running at 62 dogs in our care,” Vada’s Angels founder Tash Pearson, said.

Vada’s Angels often works with pounds in Western Bay, Rotorua and the Tauranga City Council, rescuing dogs whose time is about to run out.

“Those dogs have been there for six weeks and six months.”

“We bring them in and rehab them, get them used to being in a home environment.”

Pearce could not give the number of dogs left in pounds around Tauranga, but she said she has turned down multiple dogs because there is insufficient space at the shelter.

It is a costly operation. Vet and food bills have skyrocketed to $16,000 so far this year.

“Many food companies we used to receive donations from regularly have stopped.

“There are a lot of rescues out there.”

Katrina Thompson with Bodie, a half-Pitbull half-Maltese mix. Photo / Bob Tulloch.

The rush to adopt dogs during Covid has created a mirage about returning animals to shelters, but Pearson said that blame is misplaced as often the biggest problem is people not desexing their dogs.

“We battle to have our dogs desexed before they can be pregnant. Sometimes it is puppies having puppies.”

For the most part, Kiwis are good dog owners, according to Thompson, but a minority commit horrendous acts of violence towards their dogs.

Vada’s Angels historically only took in dogs eight months and above, but they have started rescuing puppies due to the number of them turning up at pounds.

Pearson recalls the story of one dog called Blaze, who suffered horrendous head injuries and excessive abuse.

“He was beaten blind,” she said.

“His head was three times the size it should have been.

“It was a three-year journey to rehabilitate him.”

Vada's Angels will look after dogs of all ages and sizes. Photo / Bob Tulloch.

Another harrowing tale is that of a young puppy whose leg got hacked off by its owner, said Pearson.

”The vet had never seen anything like it.”

Thompson said people will overlook adopting a rescue dog because some believe the rescue shelter has become their forever home.

“People need to remember they are safe here but still need homes.”

It is not a solo effort; Pearson will work with seven team members at Vada’s Angels, including Katrina Thompson, who helps to care for the horses and sheep that come in for care.

Thompson and Pearson with two rescue dogs. Photo / Bob Tulloch

Pearson tells the harrowing tale of a group of six-month-old staffy puppies known as the ‘Spice Girls’ who were minutes away from euthanasia when Vada’s Angels swooped in.

The dogs are now with foster parents, but Pearson said if she were five minutes later, the dogs would be put down.

“It was tough.”

The six puppies are now safely with foster families, looking for their forever home.

Dogs who go through the rehab process will each have their journey. And that no canine, even when it suffers extreme violence, is beyond recovering, said Pearson.

“It is not in their personality to hurt anyone.”