HUNTINGTON, N.Y. -- Two puppies born with cleft palates have had their first corrective surgeries and are said to be doing well.

The puppies, named Magic and Merlin, are about three months old. Because of their cleft palates, they were unable to eat.

They were rescued from a New York City shelter and taken to the Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center on Long Island. A veterinarian who volunteered at the Little Shelter when she was a teenager performed the surgery for free.

She said the puppies are receiving pain medication and are wearing medical collars so they won't scratch their mouths. They're being fed through a tube, but the vet said they should be able to eat on their own soon.

They're expected to need more operations to completely repair their palates.