Puppy rescue prompts pet care reminder
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (July 17, 2024) – The Tuscarawas County Pound staff is urging everyone to spay and neuter their pets after taking in three litters of inbred puppies.
Facility and Adoption Specialist Beth Lewis says a stray pickup the Friday before last became a rescue operation after the overwhelmed owner agreed to surrender the 19 pups, their mothers, and an unneutered male dog.
“It gets out of hand in a hurry, not only procreating but also flea problems and worms and all that stuff. Times that by 23 and I don’t know many people that could afford to handle and take care of that many dogs at one time.”
Lewis says the problem started with two intact terrier mixes and quickly spiraled.
“I always recommend spaying a female before their first heat cycle so you don’t ever have to worry about it. Had those dogs been spayed and neutered, had she not kept any from the original group, we would be in a different position.”
There are a couple of low-cost spay and neuter clinics in Canton, and one does pickups in Tuscarawas County.
“AlterClinic actually does transports where you can schedule with them at their clinic, and they will bring their van down so people don’t even have to drive their dogs to Canton, or cats. They do both.”
The pound is no longer caring for the surrendered dogs, which went to Save A Pregnant Mom, DJ’s Paw Rescue, and the Delaware County Humane Society.