Update on Dogs Dumped in Skamokawa

Wahkiakum Animal Advocates Group (WAAG) would like to provide a heart warming update. The dogs and puppies rescued from a logging site in Skamokawa have found their forever homes after three months in foster care.

In May, WAAG received an urgent call from a logger working miles off West Valley Road who reported puppies running around the logging site. WAAG quickly sprang into action and worked with the loggers and neighbors to corral the four husky puppies and two adult huskies. Two black lab puppies were also rescued by one of the loggers. The dogs were in a disheveled state, filthy, frightened, and unfamiliar with human kindness, yet they were surprisingly friendly despite their ordeal.

The response from the local community was immediate. WAAG received donations of funds and food, which enabled us to provide the necessary care for the pups. Several kind-hearted individuals opened their homes to foster the dogs, and several others generously sponsored their care, demonstrating the deep-rooted compassion that exists in our animal-loving community.

The rescue effort didn’t end there, the day after the initial rescue, two more puppies were discovered by hikers in the same area. While only one was caught by the hikers, local volunteers spent hours attempting to track down the last puppy. These last two brought the total to 10 abandoned dogs, the largest dog dump WAAG has responded to. The addition of these 10 makes 13 dogs known to have been dumped in Wahkiakum County this year alone. If you have any information on the illegal dumping of these dogs, please contact the Sheriff’s Office.

The huskies and labs, believed to be victims of a puppy mill operation, bore the scars of neglect and abuse. One of the puppies exhibits a fear of cords and brooms, likely the result of past mistreatment. Several of the puppies are still very slow to warm up to humans. The last of the group to be adopted, Aspen, is suffering from severe health issues due to severe neglect. He will unlikely see his first birthday. Aspen was adopted by his devoted foster mom who chose to provide him with hospice care in his final months, a selfless and heart-wrenching act that defines the compassion of the volunteers in our organization.

One adoption that caught us by surprise was Luna (previously named Athena). She caught the attention of a family who already had a white husky, and through DNA testing, we discovered that Luna is related to her new brother. Both Luna and her brother were rescues, shedding light on the rampant and unregulated dog breeding that continues to plague our region.

The remaining dogs, all now placed in husky-savvy homes, are thriving with families who understand and embrace their unique needs. This includes Laszlo, who preferred the companionship of animals over people. He made an instant connection with his new mom and is now living his best life on a ranch in Oregon with his new pack.

We would like to encourage our community to consider adopting through a rescue or shelter and remind folks of the importance of spay/neuter. Animal abandonment is at an all-time high and shelters and rescues everywhere are at capacity. Please consider rescuing before purchasing, your favorite breed likely has a rescue organization nearby!

WAAG extends its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who played a role in this rescue mission. The community’s support has made it possible for these pups to begin new chapters in their lives, filled with love, care, and endless treats. We are endlessly grateful for the ongoing support that allows us to continue our mission of advocating for animals in need. Your kindness truly makes a difference. If you’re interested in saving innocent animals with WAAG, we would love to hear from you. Learn more at https://www.wahkiakumanimals.org or give us a call at 360-504-6336.