Apug mom and her litter of eight puppies were abandoned by their owner at a gas station in Texas in an act deemed “indefensible” by one shelter.
Tracy Frank, the owner of the Society for Animal Rescue and Adoption (SARA), based in Seguin, came to the rescue of the mom and her six-week-old pups after being contacted by someone through Instagram who had spotted them.
“There is a wooded area behind the gas station that appears to be a dumping ground for dogs,” Frank told Newsweek. “San Antonio has a massive stray problem.”
America has a massive stray problem as well. In 2023, the Shelter Animals Count database estimated that as many as 6.5 million animals entered shelters in the U.S. Of that number, 48 percent came in as strays, with 25 percent surrendered by their owners.
Sadly, Frank says that abandonment of this kind at gas stations or even simply by the side of the road is an “extremely common” occurrence.
“So many people are irresponsible and uncaring when it comes to their pets,” she said. “Dumping a helpless dog off to fend for itself is indefensible and cruel.”
Frank said the dogs were in bad shape when they were first rescued. “They were underweight and had lots of fleas and parasites,” she said. “But once they were treated and dewormed, they started to put on weight and they all have good appetites.”
It’s not uncommon for Frank to encounter owners surrendering their pets for any number of reasons.
“Most commonly because they’re moving, getting divorced, having a baby, the dog/cat bit somebody, or a parent going into a nursing home,” she said. “Once somebody gave up their pet tortoise they’d had for 22 years because they wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail!”
Though there is a degree of uncertainty over what the future holds for them, the dogs could not be in a better place than SARA right now with the shelter striving to adhere to its motto of “unconditional life” meaning that every animal deserves a chance at a fulfilling life.
Frank has made it her mission to help find every pet coming to her sanctuary a happy home, whether that be through adoption or a safe place at the 100-acre sanctuary for the remainder of their lives.
In the case of these puppies and their pug mom, she’s already got a clear idea of what kind of home would suit the happy-go-lucky dogs best. “Their small size makes them suitable for smaller spaces, but adopters should have a safe enclosed yard,” she said.