Rescued dogs finding new homes

MENOMINEE, Mich. - There's a saying you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But for some rescued pooches at the Menominee Animal Shelter, the new tricks are just some of the old basics.

On Thursday, authorities rescued 49 dogs from a trailer home in Amberg filled with feces.  They said two older women were trying to take care of the animals, but the task just became too much.  Some of the dogs were malnourished and in need of medical treatment.

The Menominee Animal Shelter was tapped to rehabilitate the rescued dogs. Shelter director, Nancy Dechert, said more than two dozen have already been adpoted out.  18 are still waiting at the shelter for a new home.

"They've become so accustomed to the people, they're getting so much more used to it.  They're coming forward, they're wagging their tails, they're so much more happy," Dechert said.

But the task has been a lot of work.

Dechert said she is thankful for all the people who have donated money, supplies, and even their time, to help the dogs.

"With everything that's going on we've had so many people come out and volunteer to take care of these animals, even on the holiday," Dechert said, pointing to the fact that volunteers were showing up on Easter Sunday.

"It's non-stop work. You're cleaning, watering, feeding," Lisa Bruce, a volunteer from Peshtigo, said.

"Any time you have a situation like this, you don't know what to expect.  Fortunately, I think this one is going to have a very happy ending," Bruce added.

That's because most of the dogs are finding new homes. But for the ones that still need a little more work, it's just one paw at a time.

"They're beginning to understand that we can bring so much more than food.  We can bring some companionship and some love and care too," Dechert said.

Marinette County officials are expected to return to the property where the dogs were found.  There are an unknown number of dogs still on the property that they were unable to capture the first time.