Rare breed rescue leads to overload at local shelter – WEAR

Rare breed rescue leads to overload at local shelter

More than 80 animals removed from conditions rescuers describe as disgusting are on the road to recovery. The rescues took place over several days after the owner, an elderly breeder, died.

The Alaqua Animal Refuge now has the difficult task of nursing the animals back to health before they can leave the refuge and find their forever home.

They've received multiple calls commending their effort. Everyone on the other end of the line wants to know more about the Great Pyrenees.

Almost 70 of the coveted breed were taken from a home in Vernon, Florida earlier this week in a multi-agency operation.

"If you've ever seen a scary movie, you know how you picture the house? The house is old and decrepit, the walls are falling, the windows are all broken out, and there's just the most disgusting things you can think of there. That was the home on the property," said Alaqua employee and participant in the rescue operation, Alissa Parsons. "They're just resting and getting their energy back, so they can actually become dogs. Right now, you look in their eyes, and there is nothing."

Most of the dogs arrived in bad shape - underweight, suffering with maggot infestations and ear infections.

"Since they have all hit the property, they've done nothing but sleep, which is typical in these cases. There's so many of them and they've been used to fighting for attention, fighting for food, fighting for everything," Parsons said.

The shelter is caring for seven of the dogs and all the rescued puppies are now in foster homes.

"None of them are really out of the woods just yet," Parsons said.

She hopes the dogs' struggle teaches the public, 'how important it is to adopt, not shop."

The dogs must stay at the shelter for another month. During that time, they will recover from their ordeal, receive checkups and be spade or neutered.

The Alaqua Animal Refuge says the breeder was investigated by an employee of the shelter about nine months ago, but no action was taken because the animals were given sufficient food and water.

If you want to learn more about adopting one of these animals click here.

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Rare breed rescue leads to overload at local shelter - WEAR