3 malnourished 'Christmas puppies' found in box taped shut, dumped on road in Fayette County
WHITE OAK, Pa. (KDKA) -- Three malnourished puppies were found in a box taped shut on the side of the road in Fayette County, a local animal shelter said.
The White Oak Animal Safe Haven is trying to give the puppies, believed to be the result of Christmastime backyard breeding, a shot at a better life. "These little ones were very likely backyard bred to make someone some extra holiday cash," the rescue wrote on Facebook.
The non-profit, no-kill animal shelter said a couple brought the six-week-old puppies in on Thursday, saying they were found in a box taped shut and soaked in urine on the side of the road in Uniontown. Thankfully, the vet happened to be in and gave the puppies an exam and a care plan.
"We opened the box, the smell was horrific, like they've been in there for quite some time in their own feces," said Sarah Moore of White Oak Animal Safe Haven.
The puppies, a male and two females, tested negative for canine parvovirus but are neglected and emaciated. The rescue said the female "is one of the worst puppies we've seen." The organization is looking for foster homes because the puppies can't remain in the shelter "for their own health."
Warning: Viewers may find some photos disturbing
‼️ URGENT: FOSTER NEEDED ‼️ Here we go again - we have more emaciated dogs coming your way. This time they’re what every...
Posted by White Oak Animal Safe Haven on Thursday, December 7, 2023
"They have a shot at (a) better life if they receive proper care now, so we are desperate for someone to step up to foster them. We need someone to provide them proper attention and care, while they continue to grow and we can see if any further ailments present themselves," the shelter wrote.
The organization said they believe the puppies were bred to be sold as Christmas presents. The shelter noted sarcastically that when they failed to thrive "and were about to cost a lot more than they're worth," they were dumped.
"They did not deserve to be bred, starved, neglected and dumped in their short 6 weeks of experiencing life," the rescue wrote.
Anyone who wants to foster is asked to send in an application and call 412-672-8901. By Friday evening, the shelter's post had more than 200 comments and was shared nearly 1,000 times.
"Our goal is to get them 100 percent healthy," Moore said. "We are looking for a foster for them."