DOG RESCUE – These several photos show the neglectful conditions the 27 dogs were living in before being rescued by the Animal Rescue Corps in McKenzie on Hamilton Street.
Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national animal protection nonprofit, rescued 27 dogs on Jan. 17 from desperate conditions at 547 Hamilton St. in McKenzie, after Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and authorities had been at the property last week and had concerns for the animal’s welfare. All of the animals were surrendered to Animal Rescue Corps by the residents of the property.
No charges were filed since the animals were voluntarily surrendered by the residents who were not named.
When ARC responders arrived they found 24 small dogs running loose inside the home with feces-covered floors and high ammonia levels. Outdoors, two small dogs were living in the crawlspace under the house and one medium size dog was loose in the backyard.
Because of the lack of veterinary care and the unsanitary, inhumane living conditions, the animals are suffering from a range of medical issues, including ammonia exposure, overgrown nails, severe matting, fur loss, skin inflammation, ear and eye infections and untreated injuries, and internal and external parasites. Most were underweight. At least three of the dogs are likely pregnant.
“We are grateful that law enforcement reached out for assistance for these animals who desperately need medical care and attention,” said Tim Woodward, ARC’s Executive Director. And it’s appropriate we are here assisting this community on this day of service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
This rescue fell on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and also on the day of the Betty White Challenge (#BettyWhiteChallenge), a viral challenge which seeks to honor the late actress’ legacy by encouraging people to donate $5 or more to animal protection organizations on her birthday, January 17, as a way to honor her lifelong dedication to helping animals. One of the dogs has been named Betty White in her honor. The planning for this rescue, dubbed Operation Infinite Hope, began when local authorities reached out to ARC for assistance after being called to the property for a medical emergency last week. ARC began assembling tactical equipment and a field team and preparing their facility for the incoming animals. Animal Rescue Corps managed the safe extraction of every animal.
ARC transported all of the animals to ARC’s Rescue Operation Center in Lebanon. Each animal is receiving a thorough veterinary exam, appropriate vaccinations, and any necessary medical treatments until they are matched and transported to trusted shelter and rescue partner organizations that will ultimately adopt them into loving homes. For people wishing to foster or adopt, ARC will publish its list of shelter and rescue placement partners on its Facebook page once the animals are transferred to these groups.
