BASILE — On Saturday, July 20, the Basile Police Department notified a local animal rescuer, Ashlyn LeBlanc, about an abandoned house with several dogs and puppies in distress.
LeBlanc agreed to help and met the officers at the residence. Once on the scene, she found the house abandoned and in deplorable condition. The rooms were littered with trash and debris. There was no electricity or running water, and feces and urine were everywhere throughout the home.
The animals were all stuck in cages within the home and were suffering from dehydration and malnutrition. They were left in this intense heat without access to food or water.
All of the dogs seemed to be of Pitbull mix, with one female momma dog; four puppies that were between 4-6 weeks old; three female puppies, and one male puppy, all 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 their various conditions, including malnutrition and dehydration. As well they require ongoing care for the immediate future.
Unfortunately, as of August 1, while at Bellevue Animal Clinic, three of the four younger puppies passed away. The only survivor of the four is the runt of the bunch, “Odie May.”
Two of the older dogs were pulled by another rescue, leaving one female who was quickly put on the euthanasia list.
LeBlanc pulled her and is currently fostering this one 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. The vet bill, plus all the costs associated with rescuing and fostering, can be overwhelming. The Humane Society encourages individuals, business owners, and foundations to donate to this rescue operation.
“We have received donations to help with the medical care and food for the abandoned dogs. However, we continue to need donations for food, supplies, and vet care for the two dogs currently being fostered in my care. 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 recuse 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," said LeBlanc.
"We are very grateful to Ashlyn and others who have stepped 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. 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," said Jeff Dorson, HSLA Director.
People can donate to care for the dogs here: Venmo - @ashlyn2007 PayPal is- @ashlynleblanc. Those wanting a tax deduction can donate to the Humane Society of Louisiana at humanela@gmail.com or its website at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/humanela.
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