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Twenty-three small dogs were given to a Massachusetts animal shelter by an “overwhelmed owner” on Thursday.
There are 14 male and nine female dogs — all under 4 years old and weighing 10 pounds or less, according to a statement from Second Chance Animal Services in East Brookfield.
Second Chance worked closely with the local animal control officer to manage the transfer of the dogs.

“[The owner] had a couple of dogs, and next thing you know, puppies,” Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Services, told Boston.com. “As the story goes, it just kind of kept multiplying and so it just got out of control.”
Blancato said the largest surrender the shelter has had was 98 black cats from one house.
The dogs, a mix of Maltese, poodle, Yorkie, and shih tzu breeds, are receiving treatment from the shelter, including spay/neuter surgeries, treatment for fleas, vaccines, and testing.
The estimated cost of care for the dogs is $15,000. Second Chance is asking for donations from the public to help supplement the cost.
The dogs will be up for adoption next week, Blancato said, and information will be posted on the shelter’s website.
Lindsay Shachnow covers general assignment news for Boston.com, reporting on breaking news, crime, and politics across New England.
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