July 22, 2026 – update
Poor Hugh.
He’s back at the vet today for more porcupine quill removal. The team found five more quills buried deep near the base of his neck close to major arteries.
A huge thank you to the incredible team at Range Road Veterinary Clinic for fitting him in and taking such great care of our sweet boy.
These unexpected medical cases add up quickly. If you’d like to help animals like Hugh get the care they need, please consider grabbing a SCARS Chase the Ace ticket. Every ticket helps us say “yes” when an animal needs urgent veterinary care. Thank you for helping us give Hugh, and so many others, a second chance.
July 19, 2026 – update
Remember me, Hugh?! I came in with a pretty bad case of quills and was severely underweight. I’m happy to say that I have been feeling so much better these last 2 weeks.
The nice people at Westlock Vet took me as an urgent out of hours patient. They had to remove hundreds of quills from my face and chest. They said they had been in there for a while. Over the last two weeks my caretakers have been pulling out migrating quills. Until they noticed one near my eye, and thought it would be best if a veterinary professional handled that removal. Luckily, I was able to get in for an urgent appointment at Range Road Vet – and they were able to remove it. While feeling around to see if I had anymore popping out (which I did), they found a hard lump. What came out was unexpected. An old pellet was lodged in my cheek. I’m so thankful for the all the people that have helped me start to feel better these last few weeks. I’m getting happier and healthier every day. Love, Hugh
July 2, 2026 – Update
After an extended stay at the emergency vet, Hugh has finally made it to a foster home, where he can continue his recovery surrounded by comfort and love. He’s not quite ready for adoption yet, but we couldn’t resist showing off just how delightful this sweet boy is. Thank you to everyone who has been cheering him on!
June 29, 2026
“Well, that didn’t go as I expected.” – Hugh, probably
We got a call from a concerned resident in a northern Alberta community about a dog that had showed up at their property after what appears to be an encounter with an upset porcupine. Poor Hugh was emaciated and likely looking for his next meal, then *bam* a face full of quills. Luckily, Hugh was incredibly friendly and gentle upon rescue and snoozed in the back seat like a good boy all the way to the vet. Hugh had a substantial amount of quills and was incredibly swollen, infected and painful. We are happy to say that this boy is doing well and being monitored by Westlock Vet.
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