The 68 dogs and puppies removed from a Bloomington residence on March 17 are on the road to recovery.
Several puppies are now in foster homes, according to Emily Herr, outreach and behavior coordinator at the Bloomington Animal Shelter.
The dogs were seized from a resident who did not have proper breeding licenses. Most of the rescued dogs are Carolina dogs, a rare, medium-sized breed that’s relatively new to domesticity.
Read more: 68 dogs and puppies removed from Bloomington residence
Several of the dogs have treatable skin problems, which are common among dogs living in tight spaces.
“Fostering is another need. So, we do have an online application that folks can fill out and our foster coordinator will get with them,” Herr said.
The shelter also needs monetary donations to cover the health issues for several of the dogs. The dog population at the shelter more than doubled within a day, going from 50 to over 100.
Community fosters, Brown County Humane Society shelter and the Monroe County Humane Association clinic have helped alleviate this issue in the past week, Herr stated.
“[All the dogs are] doing well, but we still need public support. One thing that we really want people to consider is, are you adopting from a reputable breeder? Because this is not the first time we've seen something like this,” Herr said.
The well-being of the dogs was investigated by animal control, along with Bloomington police and animal management officers from the Monroe County Sheriff's Department.
Read more: Law bans pet shops from selling dogs and cats in Bloomington.
The case is still an active investigation, according to a spokesperson at the Bloomington Police Department. The police are waiting on the vet to examine the dogs to determine if any criminal charges should be filed.
Those interested in fostering can apply online via the Bloomington Animal Shelter’s website.
