Puppies rescued from squalor in Pacific Grove available for adoption
Several puppies rescued from a hoarding case in Pacific Grove in May are all ready for new homes.
Frankie, Francesca, Felicia, and Franco are nine weeks old and their mother, Zoey, is also available for adoption. The SPCA for Monterey County said a family could really give them a rags to riches story.
Humane officers with the SPCA for Monterey County initially rescued 20 cats and dogs from deplorable conditions. The home was filled with feces, urine, piles of clothing and trash.
The owner surrendered the pets.
Eighteen dogs, including four very young puppies, were locked in three small back rooms and SPCA staff said “the overwhelming stench of ammonia from urine” made it difficult for humane officers to breath. It also burned their eyes. Two cats were also inside.
Beth Brookhouser, spokeswoman for the SPCA, says the conditions of the home were so toxic and unsafe that Pacific Grove Fire Department officials recommended the animal rescuers not return to the house without protective equipment.
“The stench of ammonia made it very difficult to breathe, eyes water immediately. It was definitely not a safe place for any person or pet to be,” said Brookehouser.
The house, designated as a historic home by the Heritage Society of Pacific Grove, has since been declared uninhabitable.
The rescued animals were suffering from flea infestations, eye discharge, ear infections, dental problems, hair loss, overgrown nails and overall neglect. At least one dog had a toenail so overgrown that it had pierced the animal’s foot pad. Many of the animals were underweight, many are not spayed or neutered and at least two dogs are pregnant.
“Imagine living in that filth just day in and day out, no way out of it and truly get themselves clean and breathe fresh air. It was awful,” said Brookehouser.
The SPCA was assisted by members of the Pacific Grove Fire Department and the Pacific Grove Police Department, as well as the city of Monterey building inspector.
The case has been submitted to the DA’s office, but has not yet been filed.
