Sadly, it has become increasingly common to find dogs abandoned and left to fend for themselves.
Because these loyal animals rely so heavily on people, they often have little chance of escaping danger without help.
This is especially true for young puppies who face the dangers of the streets at the very beginning of their lives. When conditions grow too harsh, their survival depends entirely on the kindness of others.
That was the case for a group of tiny puppies who found themselves in a dangerous situation, until compassionate people arrived at exactly the right moment.
Rescued From Scorching Heat
Officers from The Garden City Police Department in Garden City, Kansas, discovered 13 puppies on the roadside near 9th and Maple Streets around 9:30 a.m.
That same day, the department posted about the rescue on Facebook, hoping that someone might recognize the little dogs.
“PUPPY LOVE: Officers found this sweet litter of puppies near 9th and Maple Streets (THIRTEEN of them),” they wrote. “We made them junior ‘paw-tners’ and showered them with love and attention before taking them to the animal shelter.”
Their timely arrival likely saved the puppies’ lives. The temperature that morning had already reached dangerous levels. AccuWeather reported a high of 97 degrees that day.
Fortunately, the officers acted quickly and managed to get the puppies out of the heat before it was too late.
“Other than being hot when we found them, they were sweet as can be and appear to be in good health,” the police department shared in an email statement to PEOPLE.
Officers Go The Extra Mile
In their statement, the Garden City Police Department added that each puppy weighed between six and eight pounds. The officers provided extra care and comfort before turning them over to the Finney County Humane Society, located in the same city.
At the same time, the department began investigating whether someone had intentionally abandoned the puppies.
The Finney County Humane Society is fully supporting the investigation and helping the police by posting photos and details of the puppies on Facebook in hopes of finding answers.
Thanks to the dedication of these officers, the shelter team, and caring community members, there is every reason to believe these little ones will eventually find safety and happiness.
“Fingers crossed they are reunited with their family(s) soon!” the police department wrote at the end of their post.
