Cocker Spaniel Rescue Michigan

So many people in West Michigan would love to have a puppy. - Trudy Ender

Trudy Ender talks about how the Humane Society of West Michigan received 35 puppies from Dothan City Animal Shelter, Ala., through the Puppy Pipeline, a rescue program based in Georgia that transports unwanted dogs. Ender is the executive director at HSWM.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Thirty-five energy-packed furry little puppies arrived at the Humane Society of West Michigan on Friday morning, Aug. 29, in search of new homes.

They came to West Michigan via the Puppy Pipeline, an organization that rescues animals from euthanasia at animal shelters in the South, according to the Humane Society. The group included Cocker Spaniels, Labrador retrievers, huskies, bulldogs, shepherd mixes and other breeds.

The puppies, up to date on their vaccines, were quickly available for adoption. By 2 p.m. Friday, 10 had already found a home, said HSWM Executive Director Trudy Ender.

"Likely, all will find homes today, if not tomorrow, " she said.

The shelter at 3077 Wilson Ave. NW is open until 7 p.m. Friday and from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Puppy Pipeline, based in Georgia, rescues dogs from shelters in the South, where there often is a dog overpopulation. According to the Humane Society, the area faces problems with funding for shelters and spay/neuter programs.

Ender said the agency's main priority is caring for animals in West Michigan, and that it recently transferred more than 15 dogs from area shelters.

"However, our puppy room has been empty the majority of the summer and we have the ability to adopt these puppies into loving homes rather than them being euthanized due to lack of space in the South, " she said.

HSWM officials said they hope to bring in more puppies through the Puppy Pipeline in the future as a way to meet the demand for puppies and to provide a draw for potential adopters to the agency.

"So many people in West Michigan would love to have a puppy, " Ender said. "We typically don't have them here, and the South has an overabundance. It makes sense to open up that avenue to save some lives."