A mama dog and her four puppies are lucky to be alive after being abandoned by the side of a road in Texas in the most harrowing of circumstances.
There's no denying the fact that America's animal shelter system is at breaking point. According to figures compiled by the Shelter Animals Count, a national database for animal rescues, shelters and humane societies, in 2023, 177,000 additional dogs and cats were in the U.S. shelter system compared with the previous year.
In fact, 900,000 more animals have entered and lingered in America's shelters since January 2021, leading to the current capacity crisis.
According to Three Little Pitties Rescue, an all-breed cat and dog rescue based in Friendswood, Texas, the situation has been exacerbated further in cities like Houston due to a combination of backyard breeding, a lack of spaying and neutering and human neglect.
It has led to some harrowing rescue cases, like that of Persephone and her four puppies who were found abandoned in Cypress, Texas.
"It was heartbreaking," Melissa Fears from Three Little Pitties Rescue told Newsweek. "They were crammed into a tiny, filthy kennel left on a sidewalk. Persephone was tied to the kennel by a leash, unable to help her babies."
Their nightmare was prolonged further by the fact it was some time before anyone came to their aid. "People walked by them for days without stopping to help," Fears said. "Finally, someone came along and freed the puppies, and little by little, they were picked up by a Good Samaritan who just couldn't leave them there."
The identity of whoever freed the dogs is not known but a woman who had been watching from a hotel across the street noticed they had been let loose and came to their aid.
"She'd seen them in the kennel next to her hotel, but couldn't intervene initially, as she was in a tough situation herself, living temporarily in a hotel after leaving an abusive husband," Fears said. "She snuck them in and sheltered them in her hotel room over the weekend before reaching out for further help."
At that point, Three Little Pitties Rescue and one of its foster carers, Alexis, stepped in to provide the dogs with a temporary home.
It's difficult to know for sure why exactly the dogs were left in this way, but Fears has a few theories. "Our best guess is that Persephone's owner didn't spay her, and when she had puppies, it was just too much for them to handle," she said. "Sadly, this isn't unusual—pregnant or nursing dogs are abandoned on the streets here all the time. People feel overwhelmed, and it's the dogs who pay the price."
These dogs had paid a particularly heavy price, with Fears describing their condition at the point of rescue as "heartbreaking."
"They'd been lying in filth—urine and feces matted into their fur, with sores and burns on their bellies, necks, and paws," she said. "When we first took them in, all the puppies were in poor health, and one of them was in critical condition."
The dogs were alarmingly underweight and struggling badly with anemia, ear infections, high white blood cell counts, brittle nails and patchy fur.
"The sickest puppy couldn't even stand; her body temperature was only around 90°F, when normal is 101-102°F and her gums, ears, and belly were almost white," Fears said. "We honestly didn't know if she'd survive that first night. She was so fragile that even gentle touches made her whimper."
There was some glimmer of hope though. "One of the four puppies was healthier than the others. She was larger, more alert, and had fewer health issues," Fears said. "She gave us hope that her siblings might pull through, too, with some dedicated care."
While this pup went straight into foster care, the three others required treatment to help them regain their strength. Amazingly, all of the dogs survived the ordeal.
"Even the sickest puppy has made an incredible turnaround and is gaining weight every day," Fears said. "Our vet was surprised she survived, and honestly, we're just so grateful."
Persephone and two of the puppies are with Alexis where Fears says they are "blossoming and learning what it means to be safe and loved."
Apart from the sickest of the siblings who will need time to recover further, all of the dogs rescued have been cleared for adoption.
"The puppies would be perfect for an active family or someone who can keep up with their playful energy. They'll need patience, love, and a bit of training to help them grow into the best dogs they can be," Fears said.
"For Persephone, we think she'd do best in a home with another male dog. She's gentle and well-behaved, loves car rides, and would thrive in a home where she can sunbathe, snuggle on the couch, and maybe go on a few adventures. She's a loyal companion, and she's ready to share all her love with a family who'll cherish her."
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