Owning a pet is a long-term commitment that requires care and responsibility. Sadly, there are instances where this duty is neglected and animals are left abandoned.
This unfortunate reality came to light in Ridgeway, Virginia, where rescuers discovered eleven puppies abandoned in the wild.
These puppies, belonging to two separate litters, were found wandering along roadsides, struggling to survive on their own. Without intervention, their odds of survival were grim.
A post on the Henry County Animal Shelter’s Facebook page detailed how animal control officers first responded to reports of puppies roaming on a road in Ridgeway. Mere hours later, another report came in about additional puppies, just a mile away.
In the post, the shelter noted, “These two different litters deep in the woods scavenging for food. Only 1 mile apart from each other. Coincidence? We think not.”
The puppies were dangerously thin, frightened, and desperately searching for food. Officers worked throughout the day to rescue all eleven pups.
The puppies, identified as German Shepherds, were in critical condition—malnourished, covered in ticks, and infected with worms and other parasites.
After their rescue, two puppies quickly found new homes, while the other nine were taken in by Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Several foster families offered their support, with six puppies going to one household, two to another, and one to a third.
Just as it seemed the puppies were on the path to recovery, distressing news arrived: five of them tested positive for parvo, a contagious and potentially deadly disease.
“Our volunteer, Monja Vadnais, described the intense care required, explaining to WDBJ7, “If you end up getting a dog that gets Parvo, it’s going to be vomiting, having diarrhea, it needs to go into having emergency care 24/7, and there’s lots of dehydration and medications for pain.
They have to be fed via tubes for nutrients because they’re not going to be eating. It’s a lot of day-to-day care.”
The team worked tirelessly, navigating tense and anxious days, focused on saving the young dogs. After weeks of extensive medical treatment and significant expenditure, the puppies began to recover. Gradually, they gained weight and their energy returned.
Now, attention turns to strengthening the puppies further, ensuring they maintain a healthy weight and preparing them for adoption.
Rescuers are hopeful for their future, envisioning lives filled with happiness and loving homes. Once they are fully healthy, the puppies will be available for adoption through Virginia German Shepherd Rescue.
Efforts to find those responsible for abandoning these puppies have been unsuccessful. Sheriff Wayne Davis of the Henry County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of pet ownership responsibility, telling WDBJ7, “If you’re going to own pets, you need to be responsible.
They need to be cared for adequately. They should be treated more like a family member than just an animal to be dropped in the woods. Please don’t abandon your pets.”
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