WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The national
American Humane Rescue team, accompanied by one of their giant
50-foot emergency vehicles, deployed this week to two locations in
Washington state at the request of
local authorities to participate in a dramatic rescue aimed at
saving, rehabilitating, and caring for 255 small-breed dogs seized
in deplorable conditions from two local puppy mills.
At one location, 89 dogs were found living in filth in a 10 by
60 mobile home and investigators had to wear hazmat suits while
processing the scenes. One puppy was near death and a carcass that
was improperly disposed of was located. At the second location,
investigators found 166 dogs in filthy conditions and various
stages of health. Investigators had to wear hazmat suits at that
location, as well.
American Humane, the country's first national humane
organization, which has been conducting animal rescues for more
than 100 years, partnered with local authorities and animal aid
groups including SCRAPS and HEART to transport the dogs from the
puppy mill to a temporary shelter and provide them with food,
medical treatment, and intensive 24-hour care as needed. American
Humane is working with a local veterinarian, local responders, and
local contacts, performing intake assessments, and setting up a
daily care routine. The animals will eventually be taken in by
permanent shelters and rescues for adoption.
The giant American Humane Rescue vehicle traveled more than
1,200 miles from its strategic station in Los Angeles to help the animals. The
lifesaving vehicle was made possible thanks to a generous donation
by internationally renowned philanthropist Lois Pope. Banfield Foundation also made a
generous contribution to cover the operational and deployment
costs, and leading animal health company Zoetis is the medical
sponsor for American Humane Rescue and provides medicines and
veterinary supplies for its deployments.
"It is very disheartening to see animals living under these
conditions, but we are fortunate to have the support of so many
humane heroes to fight these injustices," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American
Humane. "With the help of our rescue team and dedicated local
volunteers, these animals will be rehabilitated and put on the path
to a better life."
"The condition in which the animals were found in was
deplorable," said the local sheriff's department deputy. "Years of
urine and feces buildup, dangerous ammonia levels, caged litters
and severely ill dogs, even a carcass. I cannot imagine the
suffering and neglect these animals were subjected to. This was the
worst case, with the largest number of dogs I have ever
handled."
The American Humane Rescue program was created in 1916 at the
request of the U.S. Secretary of War to rescue war horses on the
battlefields of World War I Europe. Now celebrating more than
a century of saving animals in need, the American Humane Rescue
program has been aiding animals of every kind and has been involved
in virtually every major disaster relief effort from Pearl Harbor to 9/11, the Joplin, Missouri and Moore, Oklahoma tornadoes, the Japanese and
Haitian earthquakes, and Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. In just
the past year American Humane Rescue teams have saved, sheltered,
and fed more than 600,000 animals.
To follow the news or support the American Humane Rescue team's
emergency work, please visit www.americanhumane.org.
About American Humane
American Humane is the country's
first national humane organization, founded in 1877. For more
information, please visit www.americanhumane.org.
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SOURCE American Humane