A total of 96 pure-breed puppies found in the back of lorry at Holyhead last week have now been placed in foster homes. 

Sadly many are battling health conditions – meaning they cannot be placed in permanent homes immediately. However, the Dublin Society Of The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals has highlighted that all the pups will eventually be assigned to forever owners. 

The animals, including basset hounds, beagles, Yorkies, cocker spaniels and Bichon Frise, are so-called designer breeds and were being transported illegally from Irish puppy farms to the UK in time for Christmas. 

In total, the animals were worth around €50,000. They were returned to Ireland and last week were assigned foster families. 

At the time of the discovery, the DSPCA said: "The levels that were taken to conceal these puppies are shocking with most of them squashed into small containers with little or no space, no food, no water and without the correct paper work.

"All 96 puppies came into our care, all 96 of them required veterinary attention and all 96 will be heading out to foster care and then onto their new homes.

"We are asking you to support the important work we do by making a donation on dspca.ie/donate."

Another post of the charity's Facebook page read: "Out of the 96 puppies that came into the DSPCA on Monday about half of them have health problems such as eye and ear infections and sensitive tummies due to poor diet and anxiety after a very poor start in life."

This seizure of the pups was part of Operation Delphin: an ongoing collaboration between DSPCA, Ulster SPCA, ISPCA, RSPCA, Scottish SPCA, Stena Line, the gardaí and customs and tax authorities in Ireland and UK.