By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County Humane Society staff breathed a sigh of relief after two rescue organizations came and picked up 21 dogs, many of them puppies, surrendered to the shelter on Dec. 29.

When a Chilton County resident called the shelter, saying she needed to surrender a large number of animals, Jennifer Fesmire of the Animal Shelter started calling rescue organizations to find a place to take them.

Air Song’s Angels with the Vizsla Club of Metro Atlanta picked up the six Vizla dogs, while the rest went to a rescue for Weimaraner dogs in Florida.

Fesmire said the person surrendering the animals had taken them in after they were abandoned by a breeder, who moved out of state.

“About a month ago, we got in the breeder’s animals from animal control,” Fesmire said. “We got in six. He claimed three, and he surrendered three … He brought us back six more dogs and surrendered them.”

These six went to Air Song’s Angels.

“The breeder is moving out-of-state, so he is ditching his dogs all over Chilton County,” Fesmire said.

When a fellow Chilton County resident saw that the dogs were going hungry and wanted to help, Fesmire said the breeder gave her 21 dogs.

“They couldn’t feed them,” Fesmire said. “They had run out of dog food, and the dogs were hungry, so they decided to bring them to us.”

Fesmire reassured the people surrendering the animals that she would be in contact with a rescue group to take the dogs.

While many of those surrendering an animal simply show up to the shelter, Fesmire said some do call ahead. Fesmire said this is helpful because it allows the shelter to start contacting potential rescue groups.

Fesmire connected with Air Song’s Angels through Becky Harshman with Alabama Rescue Relay.

Trish James of Air Song’s Angels said the organization seldom has pickups for six dogs at one time, but “we stay busy rescuing.”

“Most of the dogs that we get in our turned over to shelters, who end up calling us,” James said.

She said many times a breeder has surrendered the dog.

“They are not responsible,” James said. “They are producing way more dogs that they can take care of.”

The dogs from Chilton County will be vetted and placed with foster families.

“In foster care, they are going to learn to be house trained, crate trained and learn some basic manners,” James said. “Then, after they have been evaluated for temperament and make sure they are healthy, they are going to be placed in permanent homes.”

The Chilton County Humane Society also has an animal foster program. For information on becoming a part of the foster program or volunteering at the shelter, contact the Humane Society at (205) 755-917.