KHOU/Channel 11News
by Chau Nguyen

February 18, 2007

The dog kennels at a Texas City animal shelter have never been more full.

Just this week, more than 100 dogs and puppies were seized from a puppy mill in Galveston County.

And even though people find room in their homes for animals from the shelter every day, the recent influx of animals in need has put an unprecedented strain on the organization.

Thanks to people like Ashley Porter, who recently adopted two-year-old Maggie from the Galveston County Animal Shelter, homeless animals are given a new lease on life.

“We have just come down here for ten to 15 minutes so we haven’t been here long, but she’s interacted with cats and other people and is just very sweet and loving. So we couldn’t ask for anything better,” Porter said of her new furry friend.

But occupancy at the shelter has nearly tripled of late, and the shelter has found itself in need of help.

Among the 108 dogs and puppies seized from a home in Galveston authorities are calling an illegal puppy mill are a lot of poodles and different mixed breeds.

The operation was considered illegal because in Galveston County only four dogs are allowed per household.

And while these recently seized dogs aren’t available for adoption yet, they will be soon.

And that has made the need for good homes more pressing than usual for the shelter.

“I mean, a lot of them right now are looking pretty good. But they mainly like I said are very matted. There were some infections,” Kurt Koopman of the Galveston County Health Department said. “We feel good that these are adoptable pets.”

Adoptable or not, the shelter euthanizes dogs if they don’t find homes in 3-4 days after becoming available. These puppies and dogs will be up for adoption by next weekend, when a court order against the owner should be issued.

For those looking for a new best friend, the shelter may just have your match. But even those who want to help but can’t adopt can make a difference. The shelter is asking for donations like blankets and towels to help care for the animals.

Anyone who would like to donate or adopt can call the shelter at 409-948-2485.

Related articles:

• Some animals remain from "puppy mill" seizure 03/15/07
• Hundreds line up to adopt 'puppy mill' dogs 02/23/07
• Puppy mill’ animals in shelter’s care 02/22/07
• Shelter Full After Animals Seized 02/17/07