Off The Record

A Shelter Finds A Neglected Dog With Three Pounds Of Matted Fur And Rescues Him. Better Take A Sit Before Seeing Him Now

Published on September 20, 2024

Tangled fur is distressing to stray and abandoned pets. But a haircut may change everything.

Recently, a matted-furred dog underwent a makeover that gave him a new life.

On July 16, the South Plains SPCA shared a post about the “worst case of dog neglect we have ever encountered.” A 6-year-old dog was covered in extremely matted, thick fur, and was in poor shape.

“The dog has rotten skin spots, hair matted to the skin so bad it is ingrown into the skin, and the nails are 2 inches long,” the SPCA reported.

“His hair growth was about five years of matting,” said Kim Moyers, president of the South Plains SPCA, told KLBK-TV. “It’s just awful that he was probably seen in different places and overlooked. I don’t see how he hasn’t been seen roaming in the condition he was. I’ve never seen anything like him. It was shocking.”

His matted fur earned him the name Matt at the South Plains SPCA. Despite his horrible state, they decided to cure him and offer him a second opportunity.

Matt yelled in pain when they cut his hair, so they sedated him. They removed a collar and leash entangled in the hair and shaved off three pounds of fur after five years of mistreatment.

“There were thousands of goathead stickers, sticks, grass and even beetles matted in his fur. He has severe bruises on his body from his fur being tight on his skin,” the SPCA wrote. The dog was anemic and placed on medication, though he was found to be heartworm negative and free of tick disease (as ticks couldn’t have gotten through his thick fur.)

Matt has a long rehabilitation ahead and will need dental work when his blood work is safe.

Matt’s life has improved drastically after removing all that disgusting fur, and he looks like a new dog:

“After we had one of our professional groomers — who’s also an SPCA foster — groom him, he looked amazing,” Houston told People. “He is the most gorgeous-looking dog I’ve ever seen. He’s just drop-dead gorgeous.”

Post-grooming, the SPCA called Matt a “sweet boy” and gave him a happy, normal life.

“He went for his very first walk without his bulk of hair in probably five years,” Houston told KLBK. “His little bottom was just going back and forth, his tail was wagging and he was so happy.”

After recovering, Tori Houston will place Matt in an adoptive home.

Amazing makeover! Matt’s long neglect and matted fur are distressing, but we’re delighted he’s safe, groomed, and on his way to a new life!