Earlier this month, fourteen toy poodles were mysteriously found neglected in a home that had been vacant for a couple years. The home is located in Solon Township which is about 20 miles north of Grand Rapids.

The dogs were in really bad shape as they were malnourished, their hair was all nasty and matted, and they were covered in fleas. Some of the dogs' hair was matted right down to the skin. They were also out of water and the home had no heat.

According to MLive, the Kent County Animal Shelter (KCAS) rescued the dogs after someone reported finding them on Dec. 19.

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Angela Hollinshead, division director of KCAS:

We are hopeful we can place all of them, but some will require ongoing medical care and may be placed into a foster home while they recover or transferred to partner organizations. Considering their situation, most of these dogs are very sweet and social, it’s very clear at some point they were loved by someone.

It's a real mystery as to why 14 dogs were in a vacant home way out in the country. The owner and neighbors had no idea the dogs were even there. The animal shelter thinks that maybe an owner became overwhelmed or a family member passed away and they became unwanted.

At least the dogs will survive and hopefully in the near future they can be placed in a loving home.

Anyone with information about the dogs is asked to call KCAS at 616-632-7300.

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