Penn. Shelter Searching for Homes for 10 Working Dogs Who Endured Neglect After Retirement

• The Pennsylvania SPCA is looking for forever homes for 10 retired working dogs
• After retirement, the dogs were taken over by another organization, which did not provide adequate care for the canines
• The dogs were found living in filthy cages with no fresh water before being moved to the Pennsylvania SPCA

A shelter in Pennsylvania wants 10 former working dogs to get a second chance at a good life.

According to a May 24 Facebook post by the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA), all of the retired dogs worked with the U.S. government or military while they were active duty working dogs. After retiring from his official duties, the rescue organization offered to care for the dogs.

The Pennsylvania SPCA added on social media that the organization that initially took in the retired working dogs promised the pets “a place to be housed and find new forever homes.”

“But instead of receiving a blissful retirement, they faced the unfathomable. The venerable dogs that once sacrificed everything for humanity are now subjected to a life of filth and neglect,” the post said.

As a result, the Pennsylvania SPCA, which now cares for the dogs, is looking for forever families for the dogs who will be dedicated to helping the dogs enjoy their remaining years.

Nicole Wilson, PSPCA director of animal law enforcement and shelter services, told CBS News Philadelphia, “These guys need their retirement home, and we’re looking to the public to help us do that.”

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In its Facebook post, the PSPCA shared more about the conditions the dogs lived in after retirement and how the PSPCA came to care for the dogs.

“The Office of Dog Law conducted a routine inspection, they alerted our animal law enforcement team with concern. The dog houses were covered in feces and blood and the water bowls were green from lack of cleaning. Bodies that were once lean and they exuded strength now they are gone with untreated medical conditions,” the PSPCA wrote of the conditions in which the dogs were found.

One of the retired working dogs available for adoption through the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Pennsylvania SPCA

The post continued, “What was supposed to be a haven for these heroes ended up being the exact opposite.”

According to the PSPCA, in February the nonprofit accepted close to 30 former working dogs — German shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Labradors — from the Northumberland County facility. Of those dogs, 10 dogs are still looking for a home. Several retired dogs found by the PSPCA have been adopted by their former handlers.

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The PSPCA added in a Facebook post that the owner of the Northumberland County organization had pleaded guilty to animal cruelty months after the dogs were found in negligent conditions. The owner’s cultivation license was also revoked.

“People go down the road with the best of intentions, but those intentions get lost when they’re no longer able to say no and can’t see the damage they’re doing now,” Wilson told NBC10 of the deteriorating conditions inside the shaken rescue facility.

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Wilson went on to tell CBS, “For the dogs that have served us so well, the least we can do is provide them with clean housing and medical care.”

“These dogs have served us to keep the public safe, to keep our soldiers safe, so our goal is to give them the retirement they deserve,” she told the newspaper, noting that the SPCA is looking for potential adopters who have experience with working dogs for the remaining dogs.

To learn more about dogs and support the Pennsylvania SPCA, visit the nonprofit’s official website.

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Source: HIS Education