Rescued dogs find new homes in Cedar Rapids area

CEDAR RAPIDS - More than 70 people packed the lobby and lined the hallways of the Cedar Valley Humane Society Saturday night, all hoping to take home one of the Cocker Spaniels rescued from Sac County in January.

A total of 16 spaniels, rescued from “deplorable conditions” near Kiron, were taken to the shelter at 7411 Mount Vernon Road SE. Of those, 12 were available last night for adoption. The shelter decided to hold a drawing since interest was so high.

People who wanted to adopt the dogs flooded the Humane Society hours before the event even began, according to Communications Director Jan Clarke.

“It's wonderful to see so many people,” she said. “The support from the community has been tremendous.”

At 5:30 p.m., everyone in attendance walked through the kennel room one last time to meet the dogs and identify their favorites. Many crossed their fingers as they put their raffle tickets into bags designating each dog.

For Paul and Leeanne Rodriguez, who moved into new house Feb. 10, this was their first chance to adopt a dog together.

“Obviously they're going to need a little extra love and care,” Leeanne said as she waited to enter the kennel room.

At 6 p.m., Clarke and Executive Director Bob Citrullo drew three names at random for each dog. The winners needed to have Humane Society staff approve their applications - including proof their landlords allow dogs as well as pet records - before taking the animals home.

The dogs' previous owner, Mary Brodersen, officially surrendered them to various shelters across the state in February. She has been charged with 93 counts of animal neglect, to which she pleaded not guilty last week. She faces a maximum 12 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

When the dogs arrived at the Cedar Valley Humane Society in January, their fur was completely matted and covered in feces, staff said. The dogs also suffered from skin, ear, and eye infections.

Mary Janda, of Marion, was the first person chosen last night for a dog named Willis. Janda said she'd owned two Cocker Spaniels previously and was pleased with the rescued dogs' personalities, given their past experience.

“[These dogs] are absolutely great,” she said. “They have great temperaments.”