A Tauranga dog trainer has spent the past three months caring for an “abandoned” dog and her eight puppies after the canine was found alone in a bush – pregnant.

When Misha Gildenberger, owner of Roma Dog Behaviour Academy, took the dog in on Good Friday, she soon discovered the animal – now named Peaches – was expecting.

Gildenberger said Peaches was scanned for a microchip but the chip was not registered – so she took her to the council, where they found her owner.

The owners later told the Tauranga City Council that they did not want her back.

“They literally abandoned her so I took ownership of her and was going to be the one who cared for her until we found a home, but then days later we found out she was pregnant.”

Not long after, on May 4, Peaches gave birth to eight puppies, which led to months of care, vet appointments, feeding, cleaning, arranging foster care and adoptions.

Now, more than two months later, five of the puppies, who have Star Wars-themed names – Leia, Vader, Anakin, Jyn and Satine – remain up for adoption alongside their mother Peaches.

Rescued dog Peaches with puppy Satine.

Gildenberger said Peaches was a “very grateful” dog from the first day she was taken in.

“She’s extremely sweet, walks nicely on the lead, keeps you company, she wants love, so she comes for cuddles, and just wants to be with you at all times.

“She’s a very, very sweet dog, and I would keep her, but I’m not looking for another dog.”

She said adoption numbers had been low for a while, that it was “the worst era”, and no one was looking to adopt.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have any prospects for adoption, which is extremely exhausting.

“And it is no fault of their own that these puppies were born, they’re still amazing dogs, and people should give them a chance.”

Gildenberger said she used to be a fulltime rescuer, but now as a business owner, she no longer had the time to care for the dogs.

“I’ve spent every day with them [puppies], and now they’re bigger, they’re mayhem but that’s just what puppies are like and having five of them at once is crazy.”

Despite the mayhem, Gildenberger described the puppies as “well-balanced” and said they were exceptionally good-natured.

“They die for affection and attention, they want to play, engage and are just lovely.”

Gildenberger largely funded and coordinated the rescue with some help from the community, and provided for the dogs’ day-to-day needs while trying to secure homes for them.

“The challenge is to make people understand that rescue dogs are amazing dogs as well.”

Peaches and her remaining five pups are still waiting for families to come forward.

People interested in adopting one of the puppies can contact Gildenberger through the Roma Dog Behaviour Academy Facebook or Instagram pages.

Prospective adopters are asked to complete an adoption form, which helps determine whether the puppy and family are a suitable match.

The adoption fee included desexing as well as five puppy training classes through the academy to help give the dogs the best possible start.

“Give a chance to these puppies that are amazing, they deserve a home.”

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.