Tri-County Animal Rescue in Boca Raton is taking on a big mission.
They just brought in 54 dogs -- mostly puppies -- from a high-kill shelter in Alabama. These pups were on the verge of death but now they are getting a second chance at life.
"We are a 100 percent no-kill shelter and we are one of the only ones in South Florida," said Sienna Purse with Tri-County.
These dogs were rescued from a high-kill shelter in southern Alabama.
"All of these dogs were about to be euthanized just because they had intestinal parasites, upper respiratory illnesses, and skin issues. And at those kind of shelters, those are the kind of dogs that get euthanized first, unfortunately," said Purse.
Purse said Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee experience problems when it comes to consistently spaying and neutering pets. Therefore, shelters are overrun with people dropping off litters of animals.
"They were just overcapacity and they don't have the ability to care for them," she said of the shelter where they received the puppies. "They just come in left and right. They just have litters and litters and litters of them."
The animals were living in deplorable conditions, with up to 10 dogs in one large run cage.
"No food, very few people working there," said vet tech Liesl Koch.
Right now, veterinarian technicians are working hard to get these puppies well enough for adoption.
"She has a big knob on her head like someone hit her. Old scarring," said Koch.
Koch said they are happy to take in the dogs and help nurse them back to health.
"Hard work, long hours but in the end, it's worth it," she said.
The puppies will be ready for adoption in two weeks but they need patient and loving families.
"A lot of them are fearful. They haven't had a lot of contact. Hopefully, in two weeks we'll have everybody socialized," said Koch.
Tri-county will be taking even more animals -- 14 additional puppies will be brought in from Alabama on Sunday.
"It's 10 hours in a van just to get here and now everybody's happy," said Koch.
Because Tri-County animal rescue is taking on almost 70 puppies all at once -- their supplies are being depleted.
Right now, they are in desperate need of blankets and linens, as well as dog and puppy food.
If you would like to donate, feel free to drop off supplies at the shelter on Boca Rio Road in Boca Raton. You can also click here to donate.
