Dog rescuer Amy Roman led more than 150 animal lovers Sunday on a trip to the edge of the Everglades in search of homeless canines.
The founder of 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida and her entourage returned to Broward County with 23 dogs, including a starving golden retriever and four 12-day-old puppies infested with ticks and fleas.
"We scooped up every dog that would allow us to," Roman said of the rainy excursion to the rural parts of southern Miami-Dade County. "We were soaked, walking through the trenches chasing after a pregnant dog. Couldn't catch her."
The dogs were taken to the VCA Imperial Point Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, where they were fed, bathed and given medical treatment.
One of the four puppies had to be taken to a 24-hour vet hospital for a blood transfusion and round-the-clock feeding.
"We've got our hands full," Roman said. "I was pulling ticks out of ear canals until 7 p.m. And now the real work begins. We've got to get them homes."
Cherie Wachter, spokeswoman for the Humane Society of Broward County, applauded Roman's work.
People who dump pets need to realize they're not able to survive on their own, she said.
"Thank goodness there are rescue groups stepping up to help these animals -- because they can't help themselves," Wachter said.
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100+ Abandoned dogs of Everglades Florida
After a front-page story about Roman's rescue work appeared in the Sun Sentinel in late May, dog lovers from Pompano Beach, Boca Raton and Boynton Beach came forward to adopt eight of 10 dogs rescued on May 22.
Within days, seven puppies and one Jack Russell mix went from living in the fields to living in luxury.
Two black Lab pups rescued that day still need homes.
Roman relies on You Tube and social networking sites to help find homes for the dogs.
To contact Roman, call 561-860-3783. ___
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