PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nine purebred Yorkshire Terriers were taken in by Philadelphia's Animal Control and Care Team Monday night after the owner died.
ACCT Philly said officers were notified by the fire department. The man, who they said was running an illegal breeding operation out of his North Philadelphia home, passed away sometime after Christmas, and there was no next of kin to care for the animals.
Six adult Yorkies and three puppies were rescued. Most were in decent condition, with records showing the puppies received vaccinations as recently as last week. The runt of the litter, however, is being monitored.
Sarah Barnett, Executive Director of ACCT Philly, said pet owners should have a plan in place should something happen to them.
"That is one thing I would plead with people, is to have a written plan, even if it is something as simple as a piece of paper that you just write on, saying in the event of something happening, this person is the person who I want to take my animals."
Barrnett said pets ending up in shelters and rescues after their owners die is not unusual, but making arrangements beforehand is something pet owners need to discuss more.
She said the healthy dogs will be transferred to partner rescues and ultimately put up for adoption. Partners cannot be named without permission, but Barnett added that there are many adoptable animals available throughout the region. For people seeking a specific breed, she recommends using services such as Adoptapet.com and signing up for email alerts when a match becomes available.
“At ACCT and at most rescues, animals update to that system.”