A good Samaritan noticed a box of puppies on the side of the road and brought them to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Humane Society officials said the puppies were in horrible condition and had been suffering for weeks.
The dogs were malnourished and had severe mange, a skin disease caused by mites that causes itching, painful lesions and hair loss.
The sore, cracked skin is then infected and the infection has spread to the puppies' joints. Officials said the puppies have become anemic, lethargic, depressed, and are lucky to be alive.
"They're dehydrated they're malnourished, they're suffering," Dr. Nicole Cornett said.
"These babies surely would have died without fail, no question whatsoever because they were just too far gone," said Pam Backer, Director of Shelter Operations. "The reason she looks like she's got a little fat tummy is because she's been filled with good food and vitamins since we got her but she's got a long way to go."
Humane Society officials said they're hopeful that with four to six weeks of intense treatment, the dogs will be healed and eventually up for adoption. If found, the owners could face cruelty charges.