3 puppies abandoned in Pleasant Hill trash now ready for adoption

CLAYTON, Calif. (KGO) -- It's a happy ending for three puppies who were found in the trash in Pleasant Hill back in January. They're now healthy and ready to find homes.

The East Bay Animal Rescue and Refuge is holding an open house so people can meet the dogs and drop off applications to adopt. So far, they've received 20 applications.

The foster family that nursed them back to health is planning to keep one of the puppies, but staff say it's important they find the right home for the other two.

The three pups were found in a trash can back when they were just 5 weeks old.

A couple walking their Australian shepherd at Pleasant Hill's Paso Nogal Park found the trio.

Their dog alerted them to a knotted up plastic bag by the garbage. Inside, they found the terrier puppies, who officials say would have died if they weren't discovered in the nick of time.

They were brought to the East Bay Animal Rescue and placed with a foster family.

President Ray Gonzalez says the dogs are healthy and ready for homes.

"They've already been to the vet once," he said. "They're playing like crazy and they've made a full recovery."

Contra Costa Animal Services is still searching for whoever put the dogs in the trash.

Anyone with information about the former owners of the puppies or how they came to be found in a trash bag in the park is asked to call (925) 335-8366.