Hundreds Want 35 Beagles Rescued from Southern California Hoarder

For every Beagle rescued this week from a suspected hoarder in Encinitas, Calif., there are about eight people eager to give the pooch a forever home.

“For these Beagles, the timing couldn’t be better. Beagles are in the spotlight,” Jim Silveira, president of the Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS), said in a press release. He was referring to this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Best in Show winner, a Beagle named Miss P.

A total of 35 Beagles and six Pugs were brought to RCHS Monday by Four Paws Rescue after the dogs’ elderly owner told the organization she could no longer care for them. They range in age from puppies to adults.

And there may soon be 35 more Beagles available for adoption: a few of the rescued dogs are pregnant. Their puppies will be ready for forever homes in early June.

The Pugs have been taken in by Pug Rescue.

Silveira said the Beagles would be released by the shelter’s medical director “as soon as they’re examined, vaccinated, altered and pronounced to be in good health.”

Although they spent their lives locked up in kennels with little human interaction, the dogs seemed to be happy and healthy. Some had inner ear infections and others needed dental care.

Rebecca Stevens of Four Paws Rescue told CBS 8 that despite what it sounds like, the dogs had not been in a puppy-mill situation.

“These dogs lived in a clean environment. She just needed some help,” Stevens said. “It was a woman who loved dogs, and it just got away from her.”

According to the RCHS Facebook page, the approved applications have been entered into a lottery system, and the winners will be contacted by the end of the day today.

If you’re thinking about adopting a Beagle, the Beagle Dog Rescue Shelter Directory lists rescues across the country.

Photos via Facebook