Ten puppies found abandoned on a Kentucky mountainside have been rescued and brought to Minnesota, where they are now seeking permanent homes.

The puppies were reportedly dehydrated, severely malnourished and covered in hundreds of fleas and ticks when rescuer Lexis Noelle found them.

Noelle contacted Minnesota-based Safe Hands Rescue, which helped transport the puppies to foster homes in Minnesota after treatment. Rescue volunteers said the puppies likely would not have survived long in the area because of predators.

The puppies are now recovering and available for adoption, while rescuers are urging people facing unwanted litters to seek help rather than abandon animals.

cbsnews.com