Rescue Tails / “The Huskies”

Huskies are known to be the “dramatic” breed and this story is not void of drama. Our Marathon Campus received a call from our local Sheriff’s office when they were involved in an arrest, and the person being detained had dogs. It may, or may not, surprise you, but this is a call we get quite often. When someone is going to jail, and they have a pet, our organization takes in their animal(s) so they aren’t left alone and unattended. As per Monroe County ordinance, the FKSPCA reserves ownership five days after the owner receives receipt of the animal(s) entering our custody.

We arrived on scene to a homeless camp to find not one, not two, but twelve dogs living in a tent on the side of the road. With one of the owners being arrested, her two adult Huskies and their ten puppies need a safe place to go where they would be cared for in the interim. Her traveling companion, who needed to work, was unable to care for the dogs.

Originally, it was their intention to sell the 4-week-old puppies. However, Monroe County and the State of Florida have laws and guidelines when it comes to protecting puppies from being sold too young, or without proper paperwork. For example, Monroe County requires that all litters be registered with the FKSPCA prior to the puppies ever being born. The State requires that all puppies be at least 8 weeks of age, dewormed, vaccinated and documented with health certificates from a licensed Veterinarian. These puppies did not fall under any of these conditions, nor were the owners able to meet them. The owner agreed that it was in the best interest of the puppies to be surrendered to our Marathon Campus for proper Veterinary care until they were old enough to be weaned, spayed/neutered, vaccinated and adopted.

Our Safe Haven program assists those in a current crisis. Originally developed as a way for domestic abuse victims to be able to escape their abusive situations by offering free temporary boarding for their pets, the program has expanded to also serve those in emergency medical situations, such as unexpected hospitalization, and imminent homelessness. The mother and father Huskies were taken into our Campus under our Safe Haven program, until their owners could retrieve them and get back on their feet.

Thus, in one day, 12 dogs arrived at our Marathon Campus needing just about everything you can imagine. The 2 adult Huskies and their 10 puppies were bathed, dewormed, received flea prevention and vaccinated. They also needed a safe place to continue feeding and raising their puppies. As the puppies grew, their mother started to wean them. Very soon, we will have 10 beautiful, healthy puppies for adoption!

On December 21st 2022, all 10 puppies will be old enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted. Despite our hopes being able to reunite the mother and father Huskies with their owners, they now too, will be available for adoption. Although this falls close to the upcoming Holiday, please remember that animals are not gifts. We truly believe that companion animals are members of our families, lifelong commitments, and that the decision to bring a pet into your home and heart should be a family decision when the timing is right, and not just a gift from Santa.

If you’re interested in adopting one of our 10 puppies, or Mom and Dad, please contact our Marathon Campus at 305-743-4800 for more information, or complete an online adoption application and submit it to [email protected].

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