FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2011

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ilka Daniel, Director of Animal Protection
(772) 388-3331 ext. 28

Maria Ramirez, Director of Animal Care
(772) 388-3331 ext. 31


Abandoned pups celebrate first holiday with Humane Society staff

(Vero Beach, Florida) – Six puppies left at The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County (HSVB & IRC) on Tuesday are set to spend their first holiday season with a stuffed animal surrogate “mom” and shelter staff who will be serving as their caretakers.

HSVB & IRC Director of Animal Protection Ilka Daniel speculates the puppies, who arrived at the shelter so tiny they still had their umbilical cords and have yet to open their eyes, are only 3-4 days old. The cute canines appear to be black and grey mottled Catahoula mixes. “This is a perfect example of how homeless animals – including puppies and kittens – wind up on our doorstep,” Daniel said. The whereabouts of the pups’ mom and the owner of the dogs is unknown.

While the puppies will be spending their days dozing in the Humane Society’s Treatment Room, staff is volunteering to take turns bringing the litter of three boys and three girls home each night for the next several weeks to provide round-the-clock feeding and care during the holiday season. One by one, shelter staffers have been signing up to help out.

According to Daniel, spaying and neutering is one of the best holiday gifts Indian River County residents can give their pets to reduce the number of homeless animals in our community. “The Humane Society can help with low-cost spay/neuter options. All pet parents have to do is call us,” she explained.

The puppies will be placed for adoption after they reach eight weeks of age. For more information about low-cost spay/neuter, pet adoption or to make a donation, please call (772) 388-3331 or visit the shelter’s website www.hsvb.org.

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