March 18, 2024

Abandoned dog recovering at JCARL

Image 1 of 2

Four Legged Friends is offering a cash reward for information about a dog that was dropped off at Jasper County Animal Rescue League Friday. The female shih tzu, approximately 9 or 10 years old, was left in a kennel by the garage at about 6:40 a.m. and was in bad shape.

“We were actually all working here and we don’t know how we missed it. It was 6:40 in the morning, and one of the animal control officers came in after patrol and asked if we had put a kennel out by the garage,” JCARL Director Sarah Siperstein said.

The kennel the dog was in had moldy dog food on the bottom and it is not known how long the dog had been kept in there. Siperstein said that it is not uncommon for people to dump animals at JCARL. The facility does have cameras but were unable to identify who dropped it off or get a license plate from the vehicle.

“She was pretty heavily matted, you couldn’t tell the front end from the back end. She smelled like a wet mop; who knows how long she was wet like that? I was really expecting a lot more issues after they groomed her, but they did find a roach egg in her coat and she had a lot of flea bites,” Siperstein said. “She couldn’t see anything and she was snapping at us so we cut her bangs but it didn’t matter because she was blind anyway. She was really stressed out.”

The dog was taken to the groomer, who had to take several breaks because she was getting stressed out during the session. She still had to see the vet but Siperstein said her initial appearance is really good. To grow out hair as long as the dog had, Siperstein said it would take at least six months if not longer, especially how matted it is. Typically, the shih tzu breed is groomed about every two months.

The JCARL has experienced a recent boom in ungroomed dogs arriving at the shelter. Only a week ago, two dog were brought to the facility in a similar condition.

“Just the week before received two dogs that were dumped on someone’s property who were also matted but not quite as bad,” Siperstein said. Both are now available for adoption.

Siperstein said the shelter has been catching some heat for posting pictures of the dog as well as for its $45 surrender fee.

“Yes we have a $45 fee but if somebody comes in here and says I have no money and I can’t take care of this animal, I’m not going to turn them away,” Siperstein said.

The welfare of the animal, dog, cat or other, is most important and financial needs will be worked out in special situations. To contact the JCARL about adopting an animal or dropping an animal of call 641-792-5407 or at jcarl@iowatelecom.net

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com