Skip to main content
Emergency Care
Call 03 9328 3021
Donate now Book online
  • About Us
    • HISTORY OF LORT SMITH
    • About Lort Smith – What we do
    • Our History – A part of Melbourne since 1936
    • CEO and Board – Our dedicated leadership team
    • Impact Reports – Discover the impact of our work
    • Locations and Hours – Where and when to find us
    • Contact Us – Inquiries, feedback, or assistance
  • Information
    • OUR LATEST NEWS
    • Inform – Updates, resources and our blog
    • Lost and found pets – Advice and resources
    • First aid for cats – Life-saving resources for cats
    • First aid for dogs – Life-saving resources for dogs
    • First aid for other pets – Life-saving resources for other pets
  • Vet Services
    • GET VET CARE TODAY!
    • Our Services – Vet services available at Lort Smith
    • Pay My Bill – Online payment options
    • Our Fees – Payment options and prices
    • Facilities and Equipment – Our facilities, equipment, and resources
    • Vet Referrals – Vets referring patients to Lort Smith
    • Emergency – Emergency services and opening hours
    • Locations and Hours – Our locations and opening hours
  • Adoptions
    • ADOPT A PET
    • Our Adoption Centre – Learn about our shelter
    • How to adopt – Process to adopt a pet
    • Pets for adoption – Current pets available to adopt
    • Lost and found pets – Advice and resources
  • Our Programs
    • DISCOVER OUR PROGRAMS
    • Pet Therapy – The power of the human-animal bond
    • Emergency Welfare Assistance – Support for pet owners in need
    • CDAP – Support in an emergency
    • Pet grief support – Free and confidential support
    • Dog Training – Tailored support for your dog
    • Puppy Preschool – Big futures start with little paws
  • Get Involved
    • VOLUNTEER TODAY!
    • Volunteer onsite – Learn how you can help
    • Become a foster carer – Temporary care for pets in need
    • Become a Pet Therapy team – Join the Pet Therapy team
  • Support Us
    • SUPPORT OUR MISSION
    • Donate once – Make a one-time donation
    • Donate monthly – Provide regular support
    • Gifts in Will – Leave a lasting legacy
    • Community fundraising – Host your own fundraiser
    • Corporate supporters – Our valued partners
    • Workplace giving – Make a change from your workplace
  • Media
  • Careers

Mary Puppins needed more than a spoonful of sugar
Share

Donate

We were able to help Mary Puppins at every step in her journey, because of donations. Please donate to help us continue our important work caring for sick, injured and vulnerable animals.

Donate today

Mary Puppins did not have an easy start to life. Unloved, terrified, and with an illness that could easily have killed her, Mary very nearly didn’t make it through her first year.

But thanks to generous donations from the community, we had the skills, equipment and capacity needed to to give Mary Puppins the best chance at life.

“Mary Puppins was absolutely petrified of people when she first arrived at our shelter,” remembered Mandy Doolan, Adoption Centre Manager at Lort Smith Campbellfield.

Our trainers worked on building Mary’s confidence and restoring her faith in humans. Over time, fearful Mary began to show her loving, playful side and soon became a firm favourite at the Adoption Centre. “We watched her blossom,” Mandy said. “It was really special to see.”

But on New Year’s Eve, Mary’s triumph almost turned to tragedy. She began vomiting, became extremely lethargic, and was off her food. Her foster carer rushed her to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital for help.

Thankfully, our vets had on-site access to sophisticated diagnostic facilities and equipment, including pathology and X-ray machines, that enabled them to determine the source of her pain: Mary Puppins was suffering from an obstructed intestine – a condition that could easily have become fatal.

Surgeons performed an enterotomy to remove the blockage and, while doing so, found that Mary’s intestines were inflamed, and grey in colour: she was in very grave danger of peritonitis, a potentially deadly infection of the abdomen. Mary was moved to the ICU.

When we look back over Mary’s story, the work of Lort Smith and its supporters is evident every step of the way. Working together, our vets, shelter staff, volunteers and supporters were able to firstly protect her, then house her, and ultimately heal her.

Two months after her ordeal, Mary Puppins was adopted into a loving new home, and instantly bonded with her new sibling, a boisterous chocolate labrador. She is now living what can only be described as her best life.

Mary Puppins’ story could very easily have had a different ending, were it not for the extraordinary care of the Lort Smith staff and volunteers, and the abundant generosity of everyone who donated.

Previous story
Judy
Volunteers
Jui-shan & Bubu
Pet Therapy
Richard & Felix
Success Stories
Betty Bok
Tails of Lort Smith
Beardie
Tails of Lort Smith

Book an appointment

Browse available times and book a consultation with our care team

Book Online
Lort Smith Logo

Follow Lort Smith

  • Lort Smith Animal Hospital
    North Melbourne
  • Emergency Hospital  | Clinic
  • 24 Villiers Street
    North Melbourne VIC 3051
  • 03 9328 3021
  • [email protected]
  • Lort Smith Campbellfield
    Veterinary Clinic
  • Clinic | Adoption Centre | Dog Park
  • 25-35 Berwick Road
    Campbellfield VIC 3061
  • 03 9328 3021
  • [email protected]
  • Donations & Fundraising
    +61 3 9287 6419
  • Gifts in Wills
    03 9287 6417
  • [email protected]
  • Volunteering
    +61 3 9287 6424
  • Media enquiries only
    +61 403 047 945
  • Careers

  • ABN 87 004 238 475

Stay Updated

To receive our newsletters and hear the latest from Lort Smith.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Contact Us
  • Our Stories
  • Referrals
  • Careers
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy


Lort Smith acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Lort Smith values and celebrates diversity in our community. We are committed to providing animal care services that are inclusive and support equality and accessibility.

Copyright© 2025 Lort Smith. All right reserved.

Thank you for your feedback. If you have indicated that you would like a response, we will endeavour to provide one within 48 hours.

Is this an emergency?

If your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Major injuries
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe vomiting
  • Severe diarrhoea
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Unexpected or severe seizures
  • Inability to walk
  • Swollen abdomen

Or they need immediate help, do not book online, call our emergency number now: 03 9328 3021

Click here if you wish to continue with our quick and easy online booking.

If you have trouble finding an available appointment time, please call 03 9328 3021

Our Privacy Policy explains how we manage your personal information.

 

Is this an emergency?

If your pet is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

  • Major injuries
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe vomiting
  • Severe diarrhoea
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Unexpected or severe seizures
  • Inability to walk
  • Swollen abdomen

Or they need immediate help, do not book online, call our emergency number now: 03 9328 3021

Click here if you wish to continue with our quick and easy online booking.

If you have trouble finding an available appointment time, please call 03 9328 3021.

Our Privacy Policy explains how we manage your personal information.