Just before closing the Second Chance Animal Adoption Thrift Store on Friday, Nichole Rowell was met at the door by a young man with five puppies.

The unidentified youth had found the 6-week-old pups in a box sitting along Highway 95 close to Bonners Ferry. They were borderline hypothermic, soaking wet, hungry and cold.

“It was so sad,” Rowell said. “The box was sitting on the side of the road with no top on it.”

Second Chance, which broke ground late last year for Boundary County’s first animal shelter, hopes to find homes for the puppies, which are a mix of Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Labrador Retriever and Border Collie.

For now, they are being kept at 6647 Lincoln St. street thrift store and will be placed in foster homes on weekends.

The puppies are in good shape and will be available for adoption in a few weeks, Rowell said.

“We did a medical assessment and they are health,” she said.

One puppy has been claimed; the remaining dogs include two males and two females 

The $90 adoption fee includes de-worming, vaccines, and spay and neutering. Applications can be obtained at the thrift store or online at www.secondchanceanimaladoption.com.

The puppies can be seen at the thrift store 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For information, call 267-2815.