On November 2, seven wet, cold and very sick puppies were dumped out in a box like they were trash, and then they were picked up by the City of Eufaula and the battle began for Paws N Claws (PNC) to save them.

“When the pups first arrived, they were literally cold, wet and infested with fleas so my rescue partners, Lori Powell and her daughter Livy Shackelford spent over five hours bathing, drying, combing out fleas, and feeding these poor, pathetic pups that someone tossed out like trash,” PNC Volunteer La-Donna Rhodes said. “By that evening I showed up to worm them since Lori had sent pics of how badly they were infested with fleas, but I had no idea how bad of shape these pups were in until I got to the pound a little before 10 p.m. One was lifeless and several others couldn’t even stand up. It was heartbreaking and I started making calls to the City Case Manager and Voss Vet. Though we couldn’t get them in that night, Dr. Voss saw two of the worst ones on Sunday morning.

“The one pup that had been lifeless, Dr. Voss believed she had aspirated and he gave her shots and medicine to take for a few days and the other one seemed to be acting better so he believed they were just eaten up with three different types of worms. Given the amount of infestation he said they would have died without immediate intervention.

“However, because these puppies were super sick, our rescue had to take on their care and assume their financial responsibility (over $960) and it’s been an uphill battle ever since.”

Over the past two weeks, volunteers have had to work around the clock to give special care to these pound pups. From using syringes of Pedialyte and chicken broth to keep them hydrated, to finally the pups being able to eat wet food to them chowing down on puppy chow, it has been a process and a major feat for everyone involved. Another volunteer, James Rowland, also stepped up to help with the litter of pups that took several hours a day to feed, water, exercise and clean up after.

“Because these pups were so sick, it took a tribe to keep these pups going,” Rhodes said. “Unfortunately, three of the pups did not survive and this left us all heartbroken to say the least. I literally cried like a baby in Dr. Aday’s office. This is why we are constantly begging people to spay or neuter their pets because it’s actually against the law to not fix your dogs or cats unless you’re a breeder. Then they have strict guidelines too.” Oklahoma regulations state:

• No person shall own or keep any dog or cat over the age of six (6) months that has not been spayed or neutered unless such person holds a “B” license for an intact dog or cat, issued for such animal under Section 5-5-501 of this code.

• The owner or custodian of a domestic dog, cat or ferret shall cause the animal to be vaccinated against rabies by the time the animals is four months of age and at regular interval thereafter according to the label directions of an approved rabies vaccine for use in that species, or as prescribed by ordinances or rules adopted by a municipality within whose jurisdiction within the animal owner resides.

• A veterinarian who administers or supervises the rabies vaccination of a dog, cat, or ferret shall issue to the animal’s owner/custodian a vaccination certificate that meets the minimum standards set forth in OAC 310:5993-7. Animal identification including, but not limited to species, gender, age, and predominant breed and coloring must be indicated on the vaccination certificate.

“These babies should have been wormed around six weeks and then they could have started getting their core vaccinations around 1216 weeks. This needless neglect and abandonment should never have happened.

“Thankfully we have found homes for two of the puppies, but we still have two more that desperately need forever homes. These babies have been through enough, but I believe that they are a lot like us. They are resilient and must have a purpose to still be here and to have survived such odds. I’m not ashamed to say I prayed over these babies many times and I hope they live long and happy lives with their humans. We know we couldn’t have done this on our own and we are so grateful for our tribe of fur baby followers who stepped up to the plate to help us with this litter. Thank you from the bottom of our paw-printed hearts. This rescue was one for the books.”

Rhodes also had the opportunity to speak at a recent Checotah Lions Club meeting, and informed members how the Paws N Claws group got started saving pound pups (approx. 28 to date) and what they have done in the community, to include starting a pet food pantry for those in need. The pantry is located inside the Indian Journal and is generally open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

For more about this rescue group contact them through their Paws N Claws – Eufaula, OK Facebook account.