23 puppies rescued from ‘hoarding situation’ will be up for adoption, NC shelter says
A North Carolina animal shelter welcomed 23 puppies on March 9 after they were rescued from what animal control called a “hoarding situation.”
The Foothills Humane Society — located in Columbus, a town about 84 miles west of Charlotte — is giving a second chance to 23 puppies found by the Polk County Animal Control. Animal control officials said the puppies were living in poor conditions that left them malnourished, a shelter worker told McClatchy News.
An animal control officer told McClatchy News that they responded to a call on March 8 about dogs on the loose. When they arrived at the home, officers said they were shocked to see the “extreme number” of puppies.
Animal control officers rescued the litter of puppies and are helping the owner spay and neuter the adult dogs still on the property.
Staff at the animal shelter felt “shock, heartbreak, and anger” when they saw the nearly two dozen, according to the shelter’s Facebook post.
They said some of the puppies were injured with “receding eyes, hunched backs, umbilical hernias, and a potential broken leg.”
Stephanie Aull, a worker at the shelter, told McClatchy News that they attributed the puppies’ hunched backs to spending long periods of time in a smaller crate.
The puppies are pit bull terriers aged between six weeks old and five months old. Some weigh as little as 2 pounds, Aull said.
The shelter is now asking the community for financial help to take care of the animals that need to be spayed, neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped before they can be adopted. She said people can donate on their website.
Aull said that within 24 hours, all 23 puppies were put into foster homes where they’re “getting some 24/7 routine care with some loving fosters in a home environment.”
Aull said that as of March 10, all the puppies are doing well and some puppies will be ready to be adopted within the next few weeks.
“Good job FHS staff and fosters!! It takes a village and donations!,” a commenter wrote on the shelter’s post. “Thank goodness for everyone and for the people who can’t physically help but can help with donations!”
This story was originally published March 10, 2022 at 1:00 PM with the headline "23 puppies rescued from ‘hoarding situation’ will be up for adoption, NC shelter says."
