During the last week, a group of animal welfare organizations throughout the state worked together on a hoarding case where there were 29 dogs living outside in horrific conditions on a rural property. The owner was a senior citizen who went into the hospital and is not expected to come back out. This is a rural county with an animal shelter in an old gas station. To say that they have limited resources is an understatement.
An All Star cast of animal welfare organizations worked together to get these dogs to safety. Steve Carriere from FL SARC coordinated the response and led the operation, with help from Karen at Slomba Shelter Solutions and Kate McFall at Humane Society of the United States. Steve and Kate got out 5 dogs, and Leon County Humane Society took 2. A multi-jurisdictional team trapped and transported 18 more dogs that were still on the property.
Florida Urgent Rescue and the Humane Society of Tampa Bay transported them to a temporary holding facility at Cat Depot (now Dog Depot!) in Sarasota. A team of veterinarians and staff from multiple organizations are caring for them, and the team is working on permanent placement of these dogs.
Multiple organizations worked together over the last week to assist Hamilton County Animal Control and rescue the dogs, including:
— Florida State Animal Response Coalition (FL SARC)
— Florida Urgent Rescue (FUR)
— Florida Association of Animal Welfare Organizations
— UF Shelter Medicine Program
— Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA)
— Humane Society of Tampa Bay
— Humane Society of Sarasota County
— Humane Society of the United States
— Cat Depot — SPCA Florida
— Nate's Honor Animal Rescue
— Leon County Humane Society
— Slomba Shelter Solutions
— First Coast No More Homeless Pets
— Verandah Pet Hospital
— Zoetis
Three dogs on the property were deceased. At least one dog died of a gunshot wound. Neighbors have been threatening to shoot the dogs, and someone made good on that threat. The second day of the rescue mission, we found a dead dog on the side of the road with a gunshot wound. A necropsy at the University of Florida confirmed that the dog died of a gunshot wound to the heart.
With 25 dogs safely removed from the property, and 3 deceased, we accounted for 28. We heard there were a few others in the woods, but only one was confirmed.
One Puppy Left Behind...
As we were trapping other dogs, one puppy ran into a hollowed out log and would not come out.
We asked for help from Steve Smedley and Jacqueline Pesola, two experienced trappers we’ve worked with before in Jacksonville. Steve and Jackie came out on Friday to help with trapping and transport. They set up traps and cameras, and Steve trapped and transported 7 more dogs while we waited for the puppy to go in the trap.
We set up traps and cameras, but after watching his mama and the other dogs get trapped, he wouldn’t go in the trap. He was too smart to fall for that.
Steve and Jackie both brought their cameras, and we watched him come out of the log and bark all night long for two nights in a row. The little guy just wouldn't go in the trap. The other problem was that this location is 2 1/2 hours away, so the logistics were much more difficult. Steve and Jackie both made the trip back and forth to Hamilton County again and again to help save this puppy.
We were worried that one of the neighbors would shoot him, too. To make matters worse, a neighbor’s bulldog came roaming through the property and growled ferociously. The terrified puppy ran back into the log. Between the aggressive bulldog and the neighbors shooting, we knew it was a race against time before this little puppy disappeared for good. Thankfully, we had a very dedicated team who were determined to save him.
Steve and Jackie, with help from Hamilton County Animal Control director Rosalie Bonnie, her volunteer Andrea de la Cruz, and Melissa and Ricky Alderman from ACT Animal Rescue of Valdosta/Lowndes County, worked all day in terrible conditions. In addition to the heat, this area is infested with ticks and fleas. We duct taped our pants at the bottom, doused ourselves with bug spray, and we still got covered with ticks. On top of that, the area looked and smelled like a garbage dump.
Despite the miserable conditions, they worked throughout the day to build a custom enclosure around the log to trap the puppy. With the puppy temporarily blocked inside the log with a cat trap, the team built a fence around the log to secure the puppy. Steve built a trap door attached to the log, with a wireless remote control trigger and a live video feed. They vacated the area and watched on live video. When the puppy came back out of the log to explore, Steve was ready and triggered the trap door.
After two long days and sleepless nights, we finally trapped the puppy! He was loaded with ticks and parasites and his gums were white, so Jackie took him straight to Focused Pet Care in Orange Park, FL, where Dr. Mizesko took care of him and he spent the night in the ER. His foster Mom Marlene Ritter ws standing by waiting for him when he was released, and we took this smart, brave little guy into FUR.
We are truly blown away by the number of people from so many organizations dropping everything to help these dogs in need. There is no way Hamilton County could have handled this case on their own. Thanks to everyone chipping in, 26 dogs are now safe.
𝗙𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗟𝗬 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠
Sick and injured animals need help fast. Every donation helps, but Monthly donors give us flexibility to respond immediately when there is an emergency. When there is a hoarding case or a hurricane, a dog with a gunshot wound or a cruelty case, we have to act quickly. We don't have time to do a fundraiser, and wait for those funds to get to us. Your monthly donation can help us save lives again and again.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donatemonthly.
To Foster: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/foster
To Adopt: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/adopt
To Donate:
— Credit Card: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donate
— Venmo: @FloridaUrgentRescue
— PayPal: floridaurgentrescue@gmail.com
— Mail: Florida Urgent Rescue
7643 Gate Parkway #104-27
Jacksonville, FL 32256
Florida Urgent Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and FUR earned a Four-Star Rating on Charity Navigator with a score of 100%, the highest possible rating. FUR also received a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency by Guidestar, and is a Top Rated Nonprofit on Great Nonprofits.
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