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Siblings Rescued From Puppy Mill Closer To Finding A Home

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- More than 30 dogs seized from a puppy mill from a Baltimore home are one step closer to finding new owners this weekend. Some of the dogs are fighting the deadly disease parvo.

As Gigi Barnett explains, animal rescue workers are teaming up with vets to get the pups well.

It's been a tough month for Penguin and her brother Flapjack. About two weeks ago, animal rescue workers found them in the basement of a Baltimore City house trapped in cages. More than 30 dogs were part of a small-scale puppy ring.

The Maryland SPCA put some of the dogs in foster care and found homes for others. But for Penguin and Flapjack, the symptoms started. It was the deadly disease parvo, which can run rampant in puppy mills.

Dr. John Fioramonti has seen the dangers of puppy mills firsthand. His reaction:

"Disgust. It's that simple. Shock and disgust. Unfortunately, we do see it. We see it very frequently. It is there," he said.

Since then, Fioramonti's team at Towson Veterinarian Hospital has worked around the clock, keeping them alive. Their combined medical bill is expensive. All of it was donated.

"We'd like to thank all of the viewers for all of their generosity. They donated a lot of money to the KB Fund, which has helped treat these puppies," Fioramonti said. "These puppies, when they have serious cases of parvo like this, usually have a bill of $2,000 to $2,500 each."

Penguin and Flapjack are still on the mend,  but this weekend, they're checking out of the hospital and headed back home with their foster mom.

"They did lose some weight. So I'm going to make sure that they're eating properly and that they gain weight, and lots of play time and socialization," said Amy Gonzales, foster parent.

The doctor says Penguin and Flapjack still need about a month to fully recover. Right now, the SPCA hasn't found them a permanent home just yet. But by that time, they will.

The SPCA says it has already received numerous offers to adopt Penguin and Flapjack.

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