Fresno man risking eviction fostering 11 neglected puppies
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KPGE) – Mauricio Mendoza says he did not expect to foster 11 puppies in his two-bedroom Fresno apartment, but the experience has left him inspired by the kindness of others.
Mendoza says back in February he and his husband were driving in the Fresno County community of Del Rey when they saw a dog and her litter of puppies.
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“The owner had decided that she didn’t want her female dog and her puppies anymore,” Mendoza said, “so she just put them in her front yard.”
Mendoza recalls rain was pouring at the time and soaking the desperate dogs. He and his husband filed a police report and took 11 puppies from the home; his friend in Del Rey took the mother.
“At that moment I knew the repercussions of what could happen – but I didn’t care,” Mendoza said. “They’re alive and I’m happy they got a second chance.”
Once Mendoza and his husband got home, they started to reach out to local shelters and organizations for help and information. It took days for the shelters to respond and Mendoza quickly realized he and his husband were on their own. Mendoza says the shelters did not have the resources to help him – and it was unclear whose jurisdiction the puppies were under now.
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“I’m so thankful that I’m not working and I have the privilege that my husband is able to provide,” Mendoza said, “if I was working it would have been unmanageable.”
Mendoza says he was unsure about his decision to step up and take care of the puppies. He was handed a three-day notice from his landlord – and the weight of caring for 11 puppies (as well as his own pets) became a heavy burden.
Thanks to the fostering community he found on Facebook, Mendoza says he was able to gain the support he needed to take care of the puppies.
“They were the ones who actually gave us guidance,” Mendoza said, “I have so many people that I want to thank – thanks to these beautiful angels I didn’t lose my house.”
Mendoza says that even though the experience took a toll on his mental health, he’s learned a lot and wants to give back to the community.
“More than ever I’m inspired to educate,” Mendoza said, “I do believe there is hope but we still have a lot to learn about animals in the Central Valley.”
Mendoza encourages anyone and everyone in the community to do their part by fostering animals, volunteering at local shelters, and spaying or neutering their pets.
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