Six rescued dogs from the puppy mills in Skagit and Snohomish counties have just arrived on Orcas.

The Orcas Animal Shelter is the new digs for two yorkshire terriers, two chihuahuas (one long-haired and one short-haired), a shih tzu, and a silky terrier. They are all adults between the ages of three and 10 and range in size from four to 14 pounds.

“The dogs are in amazingly good condition. They had already been groomed when we got them. Two had been shaved very closely because of matted fur. They are all friendly and social. They are absolutely adorable – all of them,” said Marsha Waunch, manager of the shelter.

“It was kind of a surprise to me. I didn’t expect them to be this social. I think because they’ve been around a lot of other dogs, they’ve had a social atmosphere.”

Their first night here was Wednesday, and they played with squeaky toys and ran around the yard.

“They went around just sniffing the grass. It makes you wonder if they’ve had the opportunity to experience that before,” said Waunch.

The dogs are not yet available for adoption, as they are evidence in the case against the owners of the two puppy mills. Around 600 dogs were seized by authorities in January. About 80 percent of the dogs are pregnant and some 1,500 puppies are expected to be born in the next few weeks.

The Orcas Shelter also can’t spay or neuter them or provide medical care (unless it is an emergency) because of the legal ramifications. All the dogs can receive is worm and flea medicine.

Three of them are male and three are female, so they must be kept separated. Waunch thinks one of the chihuahuas might be pregnant; she says all of the females have had puppies at one time.

She was warned that dogs’ teeth were in poor condition, but it wasn’t as bad as she expected.

“Their teeth are deformed, probably from inbreeding, and some just don’t have any teeth.”

For now, the shelter will take care of the animals and give them lots of love and attention.

“We’ve already had so many people from the community call or stop by who are anxious to come in and help any way they can. I think once word gets out we will get swamped with offers to help.”

For more information, call the Orcas Animal Shelter at 376-6777.