Lansford police reunited a malnourished female dog, which was dumped with three of her 6-week-old puppies in the borough more than a week ago, with the other six puppies from the litter.

Lansford Detective Josh Tom began investigating the incident last week after the female dog along with three puppies were found in a yard on East Bertsch Street on April 26.

The female dog was brought to the Carbon County Animal Shelter in Nesquehoning along with the three puppies. At the time, she was scared and her ribs were protruding, said Tom Connors, shelter director.

The mother dog, which the shelter learned is named Zelda, is doing well along with her puppies - even though she is now overwhelmed with all nine puppies from the litter, but happy, Connors said.

The shelter staff is also overwhelmed with the additional puppies, he said. The census at the shelter is up to 22 now - up from 10 just a week ago, Connors said.

Shelter staff believe Zelda along with her nine puppies will be available for adoption in about a week.

The shelter had a vet visit planned for Zelda and three of the puppies, Connors said, but they may need to make a new appointment for her and all nine of the puppies.

The puppies will be available for adoption once they go to the vet and get their shots, he said. They are eating on their own, and not relying on their mother to nurse now, Connor said.

Shelter staff were concerned for the rest of the litter, which they believed were sold or given away before the puppies were old enough to be separated from their mother.

It is against state law to remove puppies from their mother before they are eight weeks old, Connors said.

Lansford police continue to investigate the incident, he said, and shelter staff hope for their day in court in this case.

“Detective Tom has been investigating,” Connors said. “He tells me that things are going well and we’re hoping some charges are brought.”

Detective Tom has also been to the shelter to visit with Zelda over the weekend, and was able to reunite her with all of her puppies, Connors said.

In addition to Zelda’s remaining six puppies coming into the shelter Monday, staff also took in two other dogs which had to be surrendered, Connors said. The owner was incarcerated and his elderly father could not care for them, he said.

These two pit bull mixes are about two years old and friendly, Connors said. Both also need to be vetted and fixed before being placed up for adoption, he said.

The no-kill shelter also has many other dogs available in need of their forever home, such as Pops, which Connors surprised with a new toy on a recent walk and posted video on the shelter’s Facebook page.

Anyone interested in adopting a dog or volunteering to help shelter staff should call the shelter at 570-325-4828 to make an appointment or get more information.

The shelter is located at 63 Broad St. in Nesquehoning, and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors are welcome after 10 a.m. but should call first due to limited staff.