In St. Petersburg, guardians are being sought for 25 pugs rescued from appalling conditions.
In St. Petersburg, animal rights activists rescued 25 pugs from an unsanitary apartment on Mayakovsky Street. The "We Are Together" foundation is currently treating the animals and seeking temporary foster homes for them, with the possibility of eventual adoption.
The rescue story and the condition of the animals
Since late July, the "We Are Together" animal protection foundation has been seeking guardians for 25 adult and young pugs rescued from a private apartment. The former owner kept the dogs in completely unsanitary conditions and neglected their health. As a result, many of the animals are in critical condition, the foundation said.
The dogs' owner was initially taken to the police station, from where she was later picked up by ambulance. Animal rights activists are willing to assist the woman with rehabilitation, but they have no intention of returning her pets.
Specifically, the first three dogs, in the most severe condition, were rescued by volunteers on July 21st. Veterinarians discovered incurable neurological conditions in them: Bon, the dog, had a congenital absence of part of his cerebellum, Fronya had hydrocephalus, and Fekla had a deformed neck. Consequently, such severe congenital pathologies in animals may indicate systematic inbreeding.
Unsanitary conditions, injuries, and questions for dog handlers
On July 26, volunteers removed the remaining injured dogs. According to Yulia Klafton, president of the "We Are Together" foundation, where the pugs are currently living at the shelter, the animals were completely covered in feces and urine, many with oozing eczema, claws ingrown into their paw pads, and serious eye injuries. Furthermore, due to a severe food shortage, the pugs were forced to eat plastic wrap.
One of the dogs, however, had an official Russian Cynological Federation brand—meaning she was from a purebred litter. As a result, volunteers are baffled as to how the puppies could have been officially registered given such appalling unsanitary conditions and poor genetics.
How to Become a Guardian for Rescued Pugs
Volunteers are currently preparing legal documents and preparing the dogs for adoption.
We're currently in litigation with the pugs' former owner. Until the matter is resolved, we can't rehome the pugs. However, you can become a guardian for one of them. It's important to understand that simply taking them home and enjoying them won't work. Pugs require examination and treatment. The guardian can then become the owner.
