Abandoned puppies are rescued and being fostered to good health
Freezing temperatures cannot compare to the even colder actions of an unknown person responsible for leaving four American Blue Heeler puppies to fend for themselves, outside, in a box on a cold, rainy night.
At about 8:45 p.m. on January 13, a 911 call was received with a report of abandoned puppies found at a local gas station. At the time, the outside temperature was hovering around 35° with 15 mph winds. Code Compliance Officer Casey Hill responded to the call, and upon arrival, was disheartened to find one male, and three female puppies pitifully nestled together, struggling to get warm, find a dry spot, and survive in a cold, wet box.
Officer Hill reacted immediately, working diligently to provide the puppies' warmth, affection, and the safety of the Animal Services Center. Once at the shelter, Hill worked feverishly, repeatedly preparing warm blankets and nourishment for the four whimpering pups that were found cold, wet, and hungry. The three female puppies responded well to the warm water and food mixture Hill prepared and fed to them through a feeding syringe, and began to perk up almost immediately. Despite all efforts at saving the male puppy, he did not make it through the night.
The three surviving females are currently in foster pet care, and they are recovering remarkably well considering their frightful ordeal. Foster pet parent, Melanie Speakman, also with Code Compliance Services, and a shelter volunteer, is providing food, warmth, and a nurturing environment for the adorable puppies. Speakman is an ongoing, avid participant in the Foster Pet Program, and she recently adopted one of the pets she fostered, named Lulu. Lulu gave birth to puppies not long ago, and she readily accepted these tenacious puppies as her own.
Officer Hill shared that the 911 dispatcher commented that "it's so sad that someone would do that" when referring to the abandoned puppies. Hill is relieved to see the cute and now lively faces of the surviving puppies, and says her job "also has its rewards".
Come by and visit the Animal Services Center at 1000 S.E. Green Oaks Boulevard, or for more information, call 817-459-5898.
Animal Services, News