Dog rescue seeing surge of new moms and puppies, in need of volunteers to foster
NEW BLOOMFIELD — Wednesday is National Puppy Day and one Columbia shelter is shedding a light on their need for volunteers to help foster puppies.
Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue is a nonprofit organization in Columbia dedicated to rescuing dogs in need of forever homes.
Melody Whitworth, the director of the rescue, said they have seen an influx of puppies due to the pandemic.
She said there was a big surge of adoptions while people were spending more time at home and it's possible those dogs were not spayed and neutered during that time resulting in pregnant dogs and new puppies.
Fostering puppies and dogs with Unchained Melodies is free and the staff supports the foster parents throughout the process.
Volunteer Mikaela Adams is currently fostering Candy and Valentine, two Great Dane/German Shephard mix puppies.
Adams said puppies are often easier to train than older dogs and keeping them on a routine is important to their success.
"If you give a puppy their freedom to build their own routine that's when you can run into issues and have them where they are more in control of the house when in reality you need to be in control of their decision making," Adams said.
"They're like a kid they can't fend for themselves yet so you have to help them make the right choices."
For more information on how to adopt or foster with Unchained Melodies visit their website, unchainedmelodies.org.
