Litter of puppies abandoned in Yuma heat

YUMA (AZFamily) — Officials say three puppies are lucky to be alive after they were recently abandoned outside the Humane Society of Yuma Thrift Store.

Nerissa Freeman and her daughter were volunteering at the thrift store when the puppies were found in a cage on the side of the building. They quickly brought the puppies to safety, then gave them water and a cool bath.

Rex, Mac and Betty, as they’ve since been named, are two-month-old shepherd mix puppies. Freeman and her family are fostering the pups because the Humane Society shelter is full.

“We were able to take them into our home,” Freeman said. “My kids keep saying that this has made our family stronger and that we’ve bonded. We’re all working together.”

Annette Lagunas, the shelter’s executive director, says that this month alone, they’ve seen over 60 puppies come through their doors. Now, they’re in need of people who can foster pets.

“These puppies are only here today because we had a family step up,” Lagunas said.

“We don’t unusually see this many, but my counterparts across the state have also told me that they have a lot of puppies entering the shelter. So it’s not necessarily a Yuma thing, it’s all over the state,” Lagunas said. “For some reason we are seeing this trend right now.”

Lagunas said the abandoned puppies are lucky to be alive.

“They’d have been out there, 10, 15, 20 minutes longer, and they may not be here with us today,” she said.

Lagunas encourages pet owners to seek help before putting their pets in dangerous conditions.

“What’s the reason you want to turn this pet in? Is it because you can’t feed it? Let us help you. We can give you food,” she said.

Mac, Betty, and Rex are fortunate to be in loving hands right now, but are looking for a forever home.

“I hope that someone can come and give them a good life. Take care of them the way they should be,” Freeman said.

The Humane Society of Yuma is in need of people who can foster pets. Anyone willing to help can contact them at 928-782-1621.

Learn more about fostering a pet here.

Tap/click here to see the dogs and cats available for adoption.

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