Neglected dogs, living outside amidst winter storm, rescued – but not before two died in the cold

As a winter storm pushed into western Washington, neglected dogs in Graham were left to fend for themselves when the temperature plunged and the snow started to fall. According to the Humane Society for Tacoma/Pierce County, two of the dogs at one property were dead before help arrived.

The animal welfare agency took in the surviving dogs and now they are scrambling to make room for the influx of animals. In a Facebook post, the shelter writes of the sad situation which claimed lives:

This week we received devastating news. Eight dogs had been neglected, left outside in the snow and freezing temperatures.
When Animal Control arrived to remove the dogs from the property in Graham, they discovered the unthinkable. Two of the dogs hadn’t survived the night.

Adding:

Upon arrival at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, our veterinary team rushed to provide emergency medical treatment. Despite our best efforts, one of the dogs was in such horrific shape, we were unable to save him. The remaining five are skin and bones, dehydrated, covered in mats with dried fecal matter, and infested with fleas. They have a long road to go, and they aren’t out of the woods yet.

The dogs in Graham were saved and then the shelter learned that an additional 14 dogs in Tacoma were also suffering in the elements.

The shelter is pleading for help right now, outlining the ways that area residents can assist:

We urgently need to move animals out of the shelter as soon as possible to help create the critically needed space for our new arrivals. Here’s how you can help:

Adopt – We have more than 40 adoptable dogs, and you can see them all on our website. To help boost adoptions, the shelter is offering $50 off adoption fees for all dogs from Dec. 30 through Jan. 16.

Foster – Fosters provide a loving home, and the shelter provides the rest, including food, medical care, and other supplies. Fostering makes space for incoming pets—the more fosters, the more pets that can be saved.

Donate – Can’t adopt or foster? We need donations to help provide the ongoing medical care for these dogs and the hundreds of animals in our care. Please, your support is urgently needed to care for these dogs and give them love after they were neglected and left to survive on their own.

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