Washington Area Humane Society has influx of dogs
In the past month the Washington Area Humane Society has taken in 18 puppies they are trying to find new homes for.
Executive Director Kelly Proudfit said it is unusual for the organization to have so many puppies, and they do not have room to take in more dogs.
“It’s a lot of work for the staff. We have to constantly feed and bathe them. They don’t have all their vaccines. It’s not ideal for them to be in a shelter environment,” Proudfit said.
The puppies came in a few different groups. Nine dogs were surrendered in January by someone facing eviction, two of which have since been adopted. These dogs are the “S” puppies – Stella, Simon, Sebastian, Sadie, Sage, Sawyer and Shane. All are about 12 weeks old.
Toward the end of January, a group of six puppies were found in a cardboard box along Chestnut Street in Washington. The humane society is calling these 8-week-old dogs the “board game” puppies – Checkers, Mahjong, Jenga, Chess, Scribble and Domino.
On Feb. 1, a Good Samaritan brought Harold and Henry to the humane society after they were almost hit by a car. All of the dogs are mixed breeds.
“It’s unusual for us to have such a spurt of puppies. A lot of them are doubled up in kennels. We have a lot of other wonderful, adoptable dogs as well,” Proudfit said.
When the puppies are adopted out, they will have been spayed and neutered, received all their shots, dewormer, and flea and tick treatment.
In the meantime, staff and volunteers are working to help the puppies in a difficult environment.
“We have volunteers coming in. We have a little puppy room where people socialize them,” Proudfit said.
Those interested can see the puppies during walk-in hours at the humane society, located at 1527 Route 136. It is open on Tuesdays from 1 to 7 p.m., and Wednesday to Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Applications can be filled out at the shelter or online at washingtonpashelter.org. The puppy adoption fee is $200.
“If you adopt through us, you can buy a crate through a discount with us. Our puppies come with pretty much everything you’re going to need to care for them. We give a lot of good tips and advice,” Proudfit said.