Haley Gustafson | Daily Press One of the 44 chiweenie dogs that was surrendered to the Delta Animal Shelter in Escanaba last month is shown Monday with her two recently-born puppies. Twenty-one of the 44 dogs have been adopted at the shelter.

ESCANABA — Twenty-one of the 44 dogs that were surrendered to the Delta Animal Shelter in March from a Gladstone home have found their forever homes.

According to Sue Gartland, shelter manager, the dogs went up for adoption last week and are making even more progress in their new homes.

“I’m confident they’ll all get adopted,” said Gartland.

On Thursday, March 2,9 Delta Animal Shelter volunteers and employees, along with Gladstone Public Safety, went to a single-dwelling home in Gladstone to collect the surrendered 44 dogs and one rabbit. The rabbit was adopted shortly after arriving at the shelter.

Most of the dogs are a small, mixed breed known as a “chiweenie,” or a mix between a Chihuahua and dachshund (sometimes called “wiener dogs”).

Since arriving at the shelter, the dogs have received vaccinations, heart worm testing and have undergone spaying/neutering. Almost all of the canines are spayed/neutered, noted Gartland.

“We’re at the point where socialization has come a long way with all of the dogs,” said Gartland.

Some of the dogs that need more attention have been placed in qualified foster homes, noted Gartland, to try and get them used to people, being held/handled, and to keep from biting.

To get the dogs more socialized, Gartland said countless numbers of volunteers and community members have stepped forward to come sit with the dogs in their kennels to get them used to human contact.

“We could’ve never have done this without the support,” said Gartland, adding donations of food, puppy pads, cleaning supplies, and money have poured in at the shelter to help with the large intake of dogs.

All of the dogs also experienced grass and being outside for the first time last week, said Gartland. Most of the canines didn’t know how to handle the grass, picking up their paws high as they walked. Gartland noted while it was cute to watch, it was also heartbreaking, knowing they had never had the chance to be outside like a normal dog.

In addition, four of the chiweenies are currently ready to give birth to puppies, noted Gartland. One of the four pregnant dogs, who appears to be one to two years old, gave birth last week to two pups, said Gartland. Once ready, the puppies and mom will head to a foster home where they will be adopted from there.

Gartland said with the upward progression the dogs have taken, she sees the rest of the dogs ready for adoption in the next couple of weeks.

All of the adopters who took home one of “The 44” last week received a starter kit including tips on how to properly take care of the small breed, a bag of the food they have been eating at the shelter, puppy pads, and much more, explained Gartland.

Once all of canines have made their way into loving homes, Gartland said the shelter support won’t stop there. Local dog trainers Mary-Gail Blaiser and Dave Johnson will offer free assistance and support groups for families who have adopted one of the dogs. Gartland noted most of the dogs went to homes where the people were familiar with breed or had a dachshund or Chihuahua before.

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering at the shelter, can contact 789-0230.