Qld pups infested with hundreds of ticks

Animal shelter staff have been brought to tears by the case of three puppies found riddled with hundreds of bush ticks in Cairns.

The puppies, now named Hope, Honour and Hero, were taken to the Young Animal Protection Society (YAPS) with blood-sucking insects bulging out their ears on Thursday.

YAPS' Carol Clifton told AAP it was the worst infestation she had ever seen and the dogs were lucky they didn't need blood transfusions.

"The staff had to hose the kennel out because there were so many dying ticks on the ground (after treatment)," she told AAP.

"It's a shocking case and it's cruelty to let them get like that."

The puppies, thought to be three to four months old, had been living at a Cairns home and were brought to the shelter by a member of the public.

They are suffering from mineral deficiencies but are wagging their tails a day after they were saved.

The matter has been referred to the RSPCA, which has the power to lay animal cruelty charges.

Ms Clifton said the situation would have been worse if the dogs had been bitten by paralysis ticks, one of which can be fatal.

The two females and one male will eventually be found new homes.