MUSKEGON, Mich. — A few weeks ago Humane Animal Treatment Society and Montcalm County Animal Rescue reached out for help because of a hoarding situation in West Michigan.
Nearly 80 Pomeranians were living in one house and being taken care of by one woman.
She was willing to surrender the dogs.
Big Lake Humane Society in Muskegon is one of the partner shelters that stepped in to help.
Velvet Lyght, the shelter manager for Big Lake Humane Society, has been trying to coax the Pomeranians out of the corner.
“They very much want to be friends. They just don't know how yet. So they're shy, they're unsure," Lyght said.
She said that even though it's been more than a week since the dogs arrived at the shelter, they're still too scared to go outside.
Lyght said this is because their former owner never let them leave the house.
“If you've ever had a puppy, or if you've ever had any dog that needs training, or even just a dog that decided you were gone too long and they wanted to poop on your shoes, just imagining that compounded times eighty," Lyght said.
Rescuers believe what started as a love for the breed eventually spiraled out of control
"It got to a point where, and it's a mental health issue, where they just they don't want to part with them, it becomes that hoarding situation of, 'I keep them here because they don't leave me,'" Lyght said.
The Pomeranians were also never fixed, adding to an ongoing crisis only made worse by the pandemic.
“We had a rise in backyard breeding or registered breeders that were selling animals to people during the pandemic. And those folks now, they have a surplus of animals that they're not able to move," Lyght said.
The private animal shelter only has 20 kennels and more than 100 animals in its care.
That’s why it needs the community’s support.
“We are in desperate need of cleaners, bleach, Fabulosa, of the lavender scented variety, laundry, soap. We do so much laundry, about 30 loads a day, and then small-breed dog food. We don't have much of that, and we have a lot of small breed dogs right now, we also could use some kitten replacement milk," Lyght said.
Of the seven Pomeranians at Big Lake, the males are still very timid but at least one of the females is showing signs of an outgoing personality.
Her sibling shivers against the wall and keeps her distance.
“We're looking for the kind of homes that understand it's going to take patience. It's going to take time. They don't have basic training, they're not house trained, and it's going to need that kind of environment and those kinds of people that understand," Lyght said.
Your help means Big Lake Humane Society can continue to save the lives of more pets.
As for these Pomeranians, they will soon be ready for the next chapter: a forever home.
Some of the Pomeranians went to the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, some to the Harbor Humane Society in Ottawa County and the rest to the Humane Society of West Michigan in Kent County.
Big Lake needs foster families and donations right now.
If you would like to help click, here.