Rescued Dogs Make a Remarkable Recovery

The MSPCA-Angell has announced that 12 of the 17 dogs and cats rescued last week from a dark blue van in 85-degree weather are now well enough to be placed for adoption.

when the MSPCA’s Animal Protection unit pulled them from the van and shuttled them to the organization’s animal care facilities in Methuen and Boston.

Eleven of the dogs, and all three cats, have been undergoing treatment at the MSPCA's Noble Family Adoption Center in Methuen.  Three critically ill dogs required more aggressive treatment and were taken to the MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center, where they have been under constant care for the past week.

The dogs and cats have made a remarkable recovery, thanks in large part to yeoman work done by the MSPCA staff and team of volunteers, according to Mike Keilly, director of the MSPCA Methuen facility.

"Our staff and volunteers worked very hard with these dogs (and cats)," said Keilly. "One of the biggest things, especially with the younger dogs, was just getting them to the point where they could be walked on a leash.

"There's a chance that none of the younger dogs had ever been taken for a walk before."

 The remaining dogs are receiving extra behavior modification training from the MSPCA’s staff to address their needs, in hopes that they soon will be ready for adoption as well.

All 14 of the rescued dogs are purebread pointers. They are excellent pets for active families. But given that they are birddogs by nature, they likely are not a good fit for any families that enjoy having birds inside their house or around their yard.

Eight of the dogs are puppies, approximately seven months old, while the rest are between two and four years.

The dogs and cats were surrendered by Margaret Nickerson-Malpher of South Dakota, after she was arrested June 7. Prosecutors allege she kept 15 dogs and three cats in a van for more than five hours during the heat of the day.

One dog died as a result. Three others were severely dehydrated and suffered from hyper-thermia.

 In addition to treatment for heat exhaustion and various skin and eye infections, all of the animals will be spayed or neutered before going to their new homes.  The MSPCA team has also evaluated the animals to ensure they can be placed safely into forever homes.

The best recovery story belongs to "Elmer." He was one of the dogs suffering from extreme dehydration and needed to be treated at the MSPCA's Angell Animal Hospital in Boston. But he has made an amazing recovery and adjustment and is ready for adoption.

All of the dogs and cats have improved markedly in the last week, and are expected to be ready for adoption in the coming days.  All three adult cats—two of which are already up for adoption—have graduated into the SPF75 Adoptathon program and can be adopted for half of their usual fee during the month of June.

 “Today is a very exciting day for all of our staff—from the animal protection unit who immediately sprung to action to rescue these animals from their desperation situation, to our highly skilled veterinary team and adoption specialists who have rallied to give these animals a bright future that was unimaginable only a week ago," said Keilly. " We’re looking forward to placing these animals in the loving forever homes that they deserve after all they’ve been through.”

In keeping with the wave of Bruins Fever sweeping the region, one of the cats up for adoption has been named Lord Stanley.

 Anyone wishing to adopt one or some of these animals may visit the MSPCA-Angell in Boston or the MSPCA’s Noble Family Adoption Center in Methuen to complete an application.  For a complete list of contacts and Adoption Center hours please click here: http://www.mspca.org/adoption

The MSPCA-Angell has absorbed the full cost of the animals’ emergency and ongoing care.  Anyone who would like to donate to ensure the MSPCA-Angell can continue to provide emergency medical treatment for homeless animals in need may do so by clicking here: http://www.mspca.org/adoption/boston/donate/spikes-fund.html