When puppies were posted as “free to a good home” on social media recently, a lot of people wanted them. The poster said they would not be ready to leave their mother until the next week, and asked if anyone would be willing to take her and all her pups. Predictably, no one wanted to do that, so In Defense of Animals Hope Animal Sanctuary staff stepped up and offered to take them all.

 The picture of the mother dog begging for food at a local store so accurately told her sad story. She was covered in sarcoptic mange, and being so thin and loaded with milk for her babies, she was quite a sight. Although she was a little nervous about us putting her in our crate, she seemed to understand that better days were ahead.

This sweet girl had struggled to feed her 8 babies. They were a good weight, but sadly they too have sacroptic mange. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to other dogs and even to humans. The mites burrow into the skin causing horrible itching and burning. As a result, dogs scratch almost constantly trying to get relief from the misery the mites cause. Soon, hair falls out, leaving raw, red skin and sores caused from scratching. Left untreated, severe bacterial infection can set in and make them very ill. 

The mother dog, now named Sandie, and her 8 babies are safe at Hope Animal Sanctuary where they will be treated for the mange. When the babies have healed, they will be ready for homes of their own. Sadly, Mom is heartworm positive as well, and will need expensive treatment for that before she can be adopted.

There are many so many dogs suffering just like Sandie and her babies.  Your donation can mean the difference of life or death for them.  Please, donate to In Defense of Animals, so they may have a bright future, too.