Friends of Chattooga County Animal Shelter is using the story of two mama dogs to remind pet owners about the importance of spaying and neutering.

According to the organization, 14 puppies recently came into the shelter after being born to two female dogs that had spent years having repeated litters. One of the dogs had reportedly had at least eight litters in five years, while the other had at least three litters in three years.

Even using an estimate of eight puppies per litter, the organization says the two dogs were responsible for at least 88 puppies, though the actual number is believed to be more than 100.

Shelter advocates say those numbers show how quickly the pet overpopulation crisis can grow. Each litter means more puppies needing food, shelter, veterinary care and permanent homes, adding pressure to shelters and rescue groups that are already overcrowded.

There was a positive ending for the 14 most recent puppies. Friends of Chattooga County Animal Shelter said the puppies were transferred to a rescue partner and taken to Delaware, where all 14 were adopted over the weekend.

The organization thanked Jess with Best Friends for helping make the transfer possible, along with an anonymous local sponsor who paid to have both mama dogs spayed. Shelter supporters say that donation means the cycle of repeated pregnancies and litters has now ended for those two dogs.

Friends of Chattooga County Animal Shelter also thanked Lori Yonts with Sun Kissed Acres for transporting the mama dogs and Luci Jennings for bringing them home.

The group says the message is not about judgment, but about preventing suffering before it starts. They are encouraging pet owners to spay and neuter their animals, saying one surgery can prevent hundreds of animals from entering an already overwhelmed shelter system.