Rewritten Article:

Many stray and neglected dogs endure severe discomfort due to the lack of grooming, which often leads to their fur becoming tangled and matted. A simple haircut, however, can work wonders, completely transforming a dog’s life.

This was recently the case for a dog suffering from severely matted fur, who underwent a dramatic makeover that gave him a fresh start.

On July 16, the South Plains SPCA shared a post detailing the “worst case of dog neglect we have ever encountered.” This unfortunate 6-year-old dog was found in an alarming state, his fur thickly matted and his health in decline.

“The dog has rotten skin spots, hair so matted it has grown into the skin, and nails that are two inches long,” reported the SPCA.

Kim Moyers, president of the South Plains SPCA, described the dog’s condition as heartbreaking. “His hair had been matted for about five years,” Moyers told KLBK-TV. “It’s unimaginable that he was seen in different places and overlooked. How he wasn’t noticed in this condition is beyond me. I’ve never encountered anything like it. It was shocking.”

The SPCA took the dog in and fittingly named him Matt, after the state of his fur. Despite the deplorable condition they found him in, the team was determined to give him a second chance at life.

Matt cried out in pain whenever they attempted to cut his hair, leading them to sedate him for the grooming process. They discovered a collar and leash embedded in his fur, which they carefully cut through before shaving off an astonishing three pounds of fur — the accumulation of five years of neglect.

“There were thousands of goathead stickers, sticks, grass, and even beetles tangled in his fur. He has severe bruises on his body from his fur being so tight against his skin,” the SPCA shared. Additionally, Matt was found to be anemic and placed on medication. However, he tested negative for heartworm and tick diseases, likely because the thick fur had prevented ticks from reaching his skin.

Matt’s journey to recovery is far from over, as he will need dental work once his blood work confirms it’s safe to proceed.

Yet, even after shedding all that matted fur, Matt’s life has already improved significantly, and he now looks like a completely different dog.

“After one of our professional groomers — who is also an SPCA foster — groomed him, he looked incredible,” Houston told People. “He is one of the most beautiful dogs I’ve ever seen. Simply stunning.”

After his grooming session, Matt woke up as a “sweet boy,” the SPCA noted, and since then, he’s begun to experience the joys of a normal, happy life.

“He went for his very first walk without the bulk of hair he had probably carried for five years,” Houston shared with KLBK. “His little bottom was wagging, his tail was swaying, and he was so happy.”

Currently, Matt is being fostered by Tori Houston and will be put up for adoption once he has fully recovered.

What an amazing transformation! It’s heartbreaking that Matt had to endure such neglect for so long, but it’s heartwarming to see him finally safe, groomed, and on his way to a new, happier life.

Please share this incredible story! ❤️