Rescue organization saves 11 puppies from abandoned basement

Regina-based dog rescue CC RezQs says it started off the year with a “gut-wrenching rescue day.”

On Monday, the organization was called to an abandoned basement where it said 11 puppies were living with “no food, no care, and no way out.”

The dogs were found in terrible conditions.

Stephanie Senger, the group’s foster, adoption, and vet care co-ordinator, said the puppies were left on their own. They had access to water, she said, but not food. When they were found, she said they were eating anything they could find.

“The puppies started eating the drywall,” she said, “so it had to have been at least a couple of days.”

When rescuers entered the home, Senger said the door was wide open and she feared the puppies had been let out. Instead, she said the puppies were unable to leave the basement because the bottom two steps were missing.

“I try and tell myself I’ve seen it all,” she said. “It was pretty gut-wrenching to see how afraid they were.”

She said the puppies were hiding behind a shattered mirror, under the furnace and inside a sump.

“They didn’t have a great start at life,” Senger said.

The group said the home was in a rural community, but did not share additional details on the location or how the situation came about.

The dog rescue got permission to pick up the puppies and place them in care, but due to capacity issues and a lack of open foster homes, the organization is unable to keep them.

The group asked Facebook users to share a post about the abandoned dogs and tag other rescue organizations or groups in the hope that generous people will come forward to take in the dogs and help them recover from their trauma.

On Wednesday, the organization posted an update on Facebook thanking those who came forward to help, adding that many foster applications have been received. Senger said the applications came in from as far away as British Columbia.

“It seems like the community rallied behind what we were trying to do, and we got enough foster applications that we can keep them in the care of our rescue,” Senger said.

The puppies are not ready to be adopted quite yet, Senger said, as the animals must go through a 14-day quarantine period, and receive vaccinations and vet examinations.

While the dogs were initially scared and anxious, Senger said the puppies are improving. Only 48 hours after being rescued, she said about half of them are excited to be around people and are clearly delighted to have food, water and toys.

Senger called it a “strong testament to the resilience of these puppies and what animals are capable of.”

A few are still in what Senger called “shut-down mode,” meaning they are shaky and afraid of interaction with humans.

The organization is still sifting through applications, and Senger said more are always welcome.

“Any open home is a dog we can rescue,” she said.

Those interested in adoption can fill out an application on the CC RezQs website.