In a dark cave without food or water, a small puppy fought to survive with a severe stomach wound and maggots infesting the injury.
His heartbreaking situation came to light when someone alerted Kokkachi Shelter in India, and their rescue team immediately stepped in to help.
When the volunteers first arrived, the pup was outside the cave, but they had no equipment to safely catch him. They quickly returned to the shelter to gather supplies — including a cloth, milk, and a carrier bag — and headed back. By then, the puppy had retreated into the cave and refused to come out.Using patience and a bowl of milk placed at the entrance, the team waited for hours. Once he emerged, they gently sealed off the cave with wooden boards, scooped him up in a towel, and rushed him to a veterinary facility in Calicut.
The rescue wasn’t easy. The cave was large and the scared pup kept slipping back inside, making each attempt more difficult. It was also a public holiday, meaning most clinics were closed.
Thankfully, a compassionate vet, Dr. Shihabudheen, agreed to treat the puppy — and even provided care completely free of charge.