Puppies found abandoned in a box in an alley meet the media at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News
ENCINITAS–Polly’s puppies were two or three days-old when they were discovered with their mother in a box in an alley six weeks ago in San Diego.
The eight pound Terrier mix and her seven babies were introduced to the media during a news conference on Wednesday at Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas.
“Polly is a 3-1/2 year old Terrier mix,” says Rancho Coastal Humane Society spokesman John Van Zante. “She has seven puppies……six boys and one girl. They were discovered in a box that had been left in an alley. The Good Samaritan who found them took them to the Department of Animal Services in Mission Valley. The eight pound mommy was not able to produce enough milk to feed her babies. The little family was transferred to RCHS through our FOCAS program so they could get in-home foster care.”
Van Zante says the puppies would not have survived if they had not been taken to the Department of Animal Services. Luckily, all the puppies are expected to survive.
Kelly Peters is Foster Care Coordinator at RCHS. She says, “Polly’s fur coat looked like dread locks when she arrived. She was so infested with fleas and her skin was covered with flea dirt. She was a hot mess.”
After Polly and her puppies had their initial exams Peters took them to her home. “Polly was not producing enough milk. The babies have been bottle fed since they arrived. Now they’re beginning to transition over to puppy food. Three are still with mom. The other four are staying in two different foster homes.”
Polly will see a specialist about a problem with a knee cap. Rancho Coastal Humane Society officials say the knee problem is estimated at three out of a possible severity of four. If Polly needs surgery, the cost to the shelter could run about $3,000.
One puppy has an eye that will likely need to be removed. No cost estimate is available.
The puppies, Lila, Fisher, Price, Tyco, Mattel, Rick, Pocket, and mom Polly are expected to grow to 10 pounds. They should be available for adoption in about three weeks. Polly’s surgery will be scheduled after the puppies are gone.
For more information about pets available for adoption call (760) 753-6413, visit Rancho Coastal Humane Society at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, or visit www.SDpets.org.
