Puppies found abandoned in box by Hwy. 401 ramp

The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth is asking for the public's help as it cares for five puppies that were found abandoned in a box near Highway 401 in Kitchener.

A Good Samaritan discovered the puppies near the Homer Watson Boulevard ramp late Saturday night and took the animals home before calling the humane society.

“We think they’re about six to eight-weeks-old. They’re presently being fostered with foster parents, mostly staff here, taking them home every day to care for them,” Victoria Baby, the humane society’s CEO, said on Thursday.

The dogs are healthy after their ordeal, but a lot of work still needs to be done before they’ll be ready to find new, loving homes.

“They’re received a wellness check. They’ll be undergoing spay and neuter in another week or so. They’ll get all their vaccinations – everything they need to go home. They will be up for adoption in a couple of weeks,” Baby explained.

The humane society estimates medical and care costs for the puppies could reach up to $8,200 before they're ready for adoption.

“That would cover the cost of the spay, neuter, vaccinations, flea/tick – all the medications they need to go home healthy. Obviously we want to get them to home.”

Ultimately, Baby said the message they want to drive home is one of prevention; she urges people to spay or neuter their pets.

“There’s plenty of animals here that are wanting to go into a home. There are plenty of animals that are healthy, ready to go to a home. But when something like this happens, and I can tell you it’s happened three or four times in the six months I’ve been here, it’s a lot of resources for us. It’s a lot of work to get them up to speed with their vaccinations, with their spay and neuter, etc.”

Those looking to donate or adopt can visit the humane society's website.