BASILE, La. (KLFY) -- The Humane Society of Louisiana is asking for help after several dogs were found in an abandoned home in Evangeline Parish.
Authorities said the Basile Police Department notified a local animal rescuer, Ashlyn Leblanc, about an abandoned house July 20 with several dogs and puppies in distress. Leblanc found the house abandoned, with rooms littered with trash and debris. There was no electricity or running water, and feces and urine were everywhere throughout the home, authorities said.
The animals were all stuck in cages within the home, suffering from dehydration and malnutrition without access to food or water.
All of the dogs seemed to be of pitbull mix, Leblanc said, with one adult female, four puppies aged 4-6 weeks old and four puppies aged 12-18 weeks old. The four younger pups were covered in fleas and sores; one had a large mass on its neck. The four older pups also had fleas and sores and suffered from severe hair loss.
All of the dogs needed immediate medical attention to treat conditions including malnutrition and dehydration, and require ongoing care, officials said. Three of the four younger puppies have died.
Two older dogs were pulled by another rescue, leaving one female who was quickly put on the euthanasia list. Leblanc is currently fostering the older female at her home. The female has gone for her first vet visit and tested negative for Parvo. She is currently being treated for a bad case of red mange.
The current vet bill is totaled at $4,600, officials said. The Humane Society encourages individuals, business owners and foundations to donate to this rescue operation.
Leblanc said she has received donations to help with the medical care and food for the abandoned dogs, but more help is needed.
"We continue to need donations for food, supplies, and vet care for the two dogs currently being fostered in my care," Leblanc said. "I hope to continue to help other abandoned animals in need in Basile and across the parish with the donations received. We are thankful to everyone who has donated and assisted in the fostering and rescue of all the dogs found. We still need a rescue or adoption of a female dog in foster care with me; the other female puppy has a rescue and will be going there in a few weeks after fully recovering from illness."
Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson expressed the society's gratitude for Leblanc stepping up to help.
"This rescue illustrates the desperate need for animal control services and to operate a public shelter that can take in and house abandoned animals like these," Dorson said. "An expensive and labor-intensive rescue operation like this should be handled by a parish professional, like an animal control officer, rather than a civilian volunteer."
People can donate to care for the dogs via Venmo (@ashlyn2007) or PayPal (@ashlynleblanc). Those wanting a tax deduction can donate to the Humane Society of Louisiana at humanela@gmail.com or at this website.
