The Airdrie chapter of the Alberta Pound and Rescue Centre (APARC) has provided an update on the five puppies that had previously been found abandoned in a dumpster in Airdrie.
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Tara Wingenbach, the animal service coordinator with APARC, noted that since the center received them on September 24, they were severely emaciated.
"... They were very dirty, and some of them, we could tell that they had worms, and because we found them in a dumpster, it looks like plaster or cement or some kind of glue [was] embedded in their fur," she said.
However, the four males—now named Aladin, Olaf, Hansel, and Gaston—and one female, Gretel, continue to recover and gain weight and are now eligible for adoption.
While it's difficult to pinpoint the breed, Wingenbach said that it appears the dogs are a mix of a Labrador and Shepherd breed, which means they will eventually grow to be medium—to large-sized dogs.
"We kept an initial weight of them, and that's going by what we think their breed is. They were the weight of what an eight-week-old puppy would more commonly be, and we figure that they're [close to] almost three and a half [or] four months old."
She also underlined that though the center has dealt with cases of feral dogs, this is not one of those cases.
"100 per cent, these dogs had positive reinforcement with a human at one point in their life. They definitely [did] before they were dumped and have been socialized in some way or another."
While the pups are developing, Wingenbach said they are still in survival mode. APARC worked with Fen Vet to deworm the pups and put them on a strict feeding schedule to help them gain weight without risking bloat. The puppies were fed every three hours and given probiotics and special puppy food to address their digestive issues, likely caused by poor eating conditions.
Over 13 days, the puppies nearly doubled their weight. They were also given baths and had their nails trimmed.
"Just food and love, and they’re completely different puppies than when they came in," she added.
When asked if there were any behavioural issues, Wingenbach said that there were no troubling issues and that, in many ways, the puppies were still in survival mode and are very food motivated, though they have bonded with staff.
Since the news of the puppies being found, Wingenbach has said there has also been an outpouring of community support for the puppies and the organization. Everything from puppy dog food and linens to towels and toys has been donated.
"The donations that we have gotten for these guys have been so amazing, and everyone thinks that, of course, we want them adopted, but there are other ways that the public can help, and they have shown that to us," Wingenbach added.
Wigenbach also urged all residents, pet owners, and prospective pet owners to be mindful of the responsibilities of having a pet. While APARC Airdrie does not accept owner-surrenders, she said that abandonment should never be considered an option.
She said that owners may think that abandonment may be a humane choice because they assume the animals will end up in a shelter with its own set of complications. Very often, while shelters are safe havens for animals, they are a stop-gap and not a solution. Wigenbach noted that there are options for those who struggle financially, saying that local veterinary businesses like Fen Vet host free vaccination clinics (one was held two weeks ago).
"Owning an animal is not just a short term; it is a lifetime," she said.
Wigenbach is hoping the puppies will be adopted as soon as possible, though she will be bringing them along to Pet Valu this weekend for a little show-off (505 Main Street South).
"My goal is to get them all adopted before Saturday, but I will bring some there between 9 [a.n.] and 1 p.m."
Those interested in adopting the puppies are encouraged to visit APARC's website and complete the online application form.
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