SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A puppy from Whati left outside in -30 C, abandoned to the elements after being born, has been recovering in the care of a Yellowknife animal hospital employee, and is almost ready for adoption.

Pictured here within the last month, Yuki, a six-week-old puppy rescued from the cold in Whati, has been living in Yellowknife and recovering from frostbite. In two more weeks she'll be ready to be adopted out. - photo courtesy of the NWT SPCA

Yuki, a six-week-old husky/yellow labrador cross, did not have access to her mother's milk, a vital source of nutrients for developing canines, in her first few weeks of life. That, combined with extensive frostbite, has the staff of Great Slave Animal Hospital very focused on making sure Yuki is healthy, according to Nicole Spencer, president of the NWT SPCA.

She said Yuki could be ready for adoption in two weeks.

Until then, Yuki will remain in the care of Caylee Fieber, a certified veterinarian assistant at the animal hospital, who has been providing a foster home for the pup since she arrived in Yellowknife in December from Whati, close to 130 km northwest of Yellowknife.

Yellowknifer was unable to get in contact with Fieber by press time.

Spencer said no one had contacted the NWT SPCA, as of Monday, to express interest in adopting Yuki.

"Usually when a dog comes in with that much exposure people really want to adopt her," said Spencer.

Yuki's father, sister, and two brothers are in Yellowknife too, though the abusive home they come from has affected them all differently.

Her siblings - from an earlier little - Todd, Jeremy, and Amanda, are all named after RCMP officers who rescued the pups seized earlier in Whati.

According to Spencer, Todd is "definitely ready for adoption." He has no aggression in him, and is a loving young canine, she said.

Jeremy still needs time before he can trust people again, according to Spencer, as does Amanda, who Spencer said looks a bit like a white fox.

The father, however, has "issues" and is unpredictable, she said, and he will need more time and care before he is ready for adoption.

The mother and three other puppies died in the cold in Whati. Their owner, Anthony Bishop, has been charged with animal cruelty and will be back in court on March 9. He is currently not in jail on conditions that he not own or live with any animals.

All the surviving siblings, as well as Yuki, are up on the NWT SPCA's petfinder website.