Cruelly dumped in a box on a Melbourne riverbank, nine eight-week-old puppies are now going to loving homes.
All nine were taken to the Lost Dogs' Home on Monday.
It is believed a member of the public found the puppies beside the river and planned to sell the dogs themselves.
However the person worked out it would be a costly exercise to get them ready for sale, so surrendered them to Brimbank City Council.
'Puppies are a lot of work, they need constant supervision and care to make sure they are thriving," Lost Dogs' Home spokeswoman Suzanna Talevski said.
"Unfortunately in a situation we see too often, these pups came to us malnourished and needing urgent care.
"They have all now been microchipped and wormed and will this evening spend their first night in a warm and loving foster home until they are ready for adoption."
She said it was a timely reminder that it was illegal to keep a stray animal. If you find any animals abandoned on the street, contact your local council or a shelter.
