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Sittingbourne mum adopts two dogs in Turkey to find one is pregnant

A dog-loving mum needs help bringing a stray she adopted while in Turkey home after discovering she is now pregnant.

Jade Carter, from Sittingbourne, says she desperate is for support after the joy of taking two pups home turned into a nightmare.

The 34-year-old was planning on spending £3,000 to bring the strays back to the UK, but now her bill could rocket, due to the unexpected surprise.

She explained how her family initially fell in love with the first dog they met, who they named Lara.

"About three weeks ago we flew out to Antalya for seven days and stayed in this lovely boutique hotel by the coast," she said.

"Every morning at breakfast we were greeted by the same dog.

"Our family are massive dog lovers, and I Googled if there was a possibility of taking her home with us."

Jade, 34, from Sittingbourne, with her dog Pearl. Picture: Jade Carter
Jade, 34, from Sittingbourne, with her dog Pearl. Picture: Jade Carter

The hairdresser and mum-of-two found out that dogs have to be microchipped, vaccinated and have a pet passport or health certificate to enter the country.

She would also need to be quarantined for four months in Turkey.

Back home, the Carter family already have two dogs of their own – a Dog De Buordeaux called Pearl and a German Shepard called Carmen.

After a couple of phone calls, Jade was able to book the pooch in at a pet hotel nearby, where she was vaccinated and wormed the next day.

She added: "Lara also had all her paperwork filled out, and was put in quarantine ready to come over in March next year.

Lara, who is roughly a year old, has turned out to be pregnant. Picture: @jadecarter9721
Lara, who is roughly a year old, has turned out to be pregnant. Picture: @jadecarter9721
Lucky on her way to get vaccinations after receiving donations from people on GoFundMe. Picture: @jadecarter9721
Lucky on her way to get vaccinations after receiving donations from people on GoFundMe. Picture: @jadecarter9721

"We pay around £170 per month for her to be looked after until she's ready to travel to the UK, it comes to more than £600 including the documentation required.

"Myself, my husband Lewis and my two kids – Josh, 15, and Isabelle, 13 – were over the moon with happiness."

However, the day before they were supposed to leave, the family noticed another stray in the same spot, curled up under a car where they found Lara.

"It was so obvious that we had taken away her companion, who we named Lucky," Jade explained.

"We were distraught, and I went on Facebook Live, pouring my heart out to anyone who was listening.

Jade says the family were "over the moon" to have raised enough funds to take the dogs home. Picture: @jadecarter9721
Jade says the family were "over the moon" to have raised enough funds to take the dogs home. Picture: @jadecarter9721
Daughter Isabelle, aged 13, pictured with Lucky. Picture: @jadecarter9721
Daughter Isabelle, aged 13, pictured with Lucky. Picture: @jadecarter9721

"After an emotional 20 minutes and a deep discussion financially, we decided we would get Lucky back with Lara.

"The response was amazing and the GoFundMe page I set up hit our target straight away."

After getting weekly updates from the pet hotel, Jade says she received an unusual text message on Monday morning.

Lara was pregnant and due any day.

"My stomach dropped," she said. "They tell me she's gaining weight and will take her to the vets.

'I could handle two dogs, but adding puppies into the mix? I need help, it's a nightmare...'

"I can't afford to vaccinate and transport each puppy. I don't even know how many she is having.

"This situation has now left me desperate, I could handle two dogs, but adding puppies into the mix? I need help, it's a nightmare."

The average canine has between five and six pups in a litter, but it can go up to 12.

The family saying goodbye to the two dogs before they headed home. Picture: @jadecarter9721
The family saying goodbye to the two dogs before they headed home. Picture: @jadecarter9721

She explains that she has been anxiously waiting by the phone all week to find out how big the litter is.

"The hotel has offered to provide homes for them, but I want to see this through myself," Jade added.

"They need to be properly neutered and vaccinated so that they don't end up pregnant on the streets again.

"I want to ensure they all find an owner, and I am sure they will once they get here, but I literally need a miracle.

"We are so dedicated and understand it's a big commitment. It has been an emotional rollercoaster so far – but it's not impossible."

The hairdresser says she plans on setting up a second GoFundMe page once she knows how many puppies are involved.

If you have any advice or can help Jade's situation, please email jadecarter1988@gmail.com

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