Dogs Crammed In Small Cage Sat On Rescue’s Front Steps, One Still Smiled

While running errands in Chino Hills, California, Stephanie Castillo encountered a distressing scene that she couldn’t ignore. Right outside the doors of Priceless Pet Rescue, she found seven dogs crammed together in a tiny cage, abandoned with no one in sight. “My heart sank the moment I saw them,” Castillo shared with The Dodo. “I knew I had to step in, no matter what.” Unsure of where the dogs had come from, Castillo immediately reached out to the rescue organization to alert them about the dogs left at their doorstep. Unfortunately, the rescue was closed for the day, leaving the dogs in a desperate situation.

Looking at the condition of the dogs, Castillo quickly realized they couldn’t wait for the shelter to open. “It was clear they had been there for a while. They were sitting in their own waste, panting heavily … and one of them, a blind senior dog, was in especially poor condition,” she explained. Time was running out, and the rising heat added to her urgency. When she contacted her local Humane Society, they informed her it might take hours to send help.

Fearing for the dogs’ wellbeing as the day grew hotter, Castillo made a split-second decision. “I couldn’t just leave them like that,” she said. “So I brought them home with me.”

Once home, Castillo carefully released the seven dogs from their cramped cage, and it was immediately clear how much they needed help. They were dehydrated, hungry, and visibly shaken. “You could see the fear and exhaustion in their eyes,” Castillo recalled. She did her best to comfort and care for them until the Humane Society arrived later that day.

The Humane Society team gave the dogs medical attention, providing much-needed care and vaccinations. After stabilizing the group, they transferred the pups to Priceless Pet Rescue’s Costa Mesa facility, where they could begin their journey to finding new homes.

Now available for adoption, the dogs were given new names: Hal, Reese, Dewey, Francis, Malcolm, Lois, and Rudy. Though they’ve endured so much hardship, they’re finally getting the chance to find the loving families they deserve.

“These dogs have gone through so much uncertainty, but their spirits remain intact,” Priceless Pet Rescue shared on their website. Heather Gameros, the rescue’s adoption manager, added that two of the dogs have already found homes. The other five are still waiting, but hopefully, their forever families will find them soon.

“They truly deserve a fresh start,” Castillo reflected. “With love and care, these dogs can live full and happy lives.” Check out the video below to see their rescue story.

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H/T The Dodo