SEATTLE (AP) — Six puppies in rural Washington state who recovered from suspected drug overdoses will soon be put up for adoption, and some may go home with the fire department crews who rescued them.
On Sunday, two people brought three sick puppies to the Sky Valley Fire, about an hour northeast of Seattle. Officials believe the animals either breathed or ate fentanyl.
Firefighters sprayed their noses with the anti-overdose drug naloxone, gave them oxygen and even performed CPR. It didn’t take long for their tail to start wagging, Battalion Chief Brandon Vargas said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, sheriff’s deputies located the person believed to have abandoned the dog and discovered three other puppies that also needed treatment. An investigation into animal cruelty or neglect is ongoing. The couple claimed they were temporarily caring for the puppies, authorities said.
There are many other cases across the country of pets being rescued after being exposed to fentanyl or other opioids.
Snohomish County Animal Services Manager David Byrd said the puppies are in good health but will have to be quarantined for about another week before being released for adoption.
The Everett Animal Shelter, which has been monitoring their health, has been flooded with adoption applications and is asking people not to call the shelter with questions about the puppies.
“We definitely have some personnel interested in adopting these technologies,” Vargas said.
