BOERNE, Texas - Animal welfare groups rescued 31 Basset Hounds Tuesday from an elderly Sabinal couple who was breeding the dogs.
Sandee Bowman, founder of the Animal Welfare Society of Bandera County, said the couple was dealing with health problems and facing foreclosure next month. They called for the organization's help last week. She said 18 dogs had already been placed with other breeders around the state.
Volunteers brought the dogs to the Hill Country Animal League office in Boerne to get checked out by a veterinarian, and rescue organizations were on hand to select the dogs they were taking in. Groups from as far as New York and Iowa took some of the dogs to find them new homes.
"It's remarkable to me to have 31 dogs come from one facility to be in what appears to be good general health," Dr. Darr Wilson said, as he examined the animals.
Some dogs had cataracts or "cherry eyes"and most had bad dental hygiene, he said. Each will be vaccinated, microchipped and spayed or neutered.
Bowman said the couple had American Kennel Club papers for every dog and knew the bloodlines and names for each one.
"When you have puppies, you find one or two out of a litter that you love. Then you look around one day and it's like, 'oh my goodness, I have 20. I have 30.' It's very difficult not to do those things," she explained.
Bowman encouraged pet owners to spay or neuter their animals to avoid situations like this. She said the organizations that took the dogs could use donations to pay for the medical and transportation costs for the dogs. The dogs will be available for adoption once they are all treated by a vet.
If you'd like to make a donation or adopt a dog, call (830) 751-2595 for more information.
