JEFFERSON, Texas — More than a dozen dogs are receiving much needed care after the SPCA of East Texas rescued from them horrible living conditions in Jefferson.
The conditions were so bad, four dogs died before animal advocates in Jefferson saved the remaining survivors.
Some of the dogs still need medical help and surgery.
"We were seeing bones. We were seeing these dogs in pens that did not have gates. So the only way they could've put those dogs in there was to throw them over the fence," Kat Cortelyou, director of operations, said.
Cortelyou said the dogs had no access to clean water or food, including newborn puppies among those neglected.
"It's not something everyone can stomach, but its something we feel passionately about. So, we choke it back, we pull up our boots, we go in and take care of these animals," Cortelyou said.
Cortelyou said many of the rescues are occurring in rural areas, where they are strapped for resources.
"If SPCA of East Texas doesn't do everything they can to step in and help, then these dogs just don't get help," Cortelyou said.
Following a nearly 80-mile transport to Tyler, the SPCA of East Texas medical team has spent the last few weeks caring for the animals, many of which were struggling with health issues.
"Severe parasites, so intestinal worms, hookworms, whipworms. The list of what is wrong with these dogs is long. Much longer that the list of which is okay with them," said Dr. Valerie Jumper, medical director for SPCA of East Texas.
"You want people to have this bond with their pets where its fulfilling for them and fulfilling for the pet and that's definitely completely absent," Jumper said.
She said these dogs never had a fighting chance until the nonprofit stepped in.
"One of them had a severely broken luxated femur, the femur was out of the hip joint. She was also emaciated, bloody diarrhea," Jumper said.
Each dog will receive a veterinary exam, vaccinations and any necessary medical treatments.
"One exam on one dog and figuring out where to start takes an hour or more. So, it's not a simple little two hour process, get these dogs in and lets fix them. It's a long process and its weeks," she said.
The cost of saving their lives adds up fast as all are in need of some sort of medical care.
"Flea and tick prevention for each one, heartworm test, heartworm prevention for each one and vaccines. And that's just minimum times 13. So, hundreds of dollars times 13 all in one day," Jumper said.
It's a bill the shelter just can't afford without donors' help.
"Donor dollars are what keep us going and that's what's feeding these animals and that's what’s helping us vet these animals. And without those donor dollars we just wouldn’t be able to do what we do," Cortelyou said.
In the meantime, the animal rescue said the dogs all have a chance at a happy and healthy life once they recover.
"We're going to get them all fixed up physically but these dogs need someone to love and care for them. They've never known that," Cortelyou said.
According to SPCA of East Texas, the previous owner was arrested and charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty.