For 14 hours, multiple government animal shelters, as well as numerous rescues and veterinarians, worked to save over 260 dogs from a hoarding situation in Dade County.
Catoosa and Walker County animal shelters were among the ones helping. Catoosa County Animal Control took in 71 of the dogs — French bulldogs, Pomeranians, Chows and Chihuahua mixes.
“This is one of the worst cases I’ve ever seen,†said Catoosa Animal Control Officer Matthew Trusley.
Catoosa County Animal Control Officer Matthew Trusley said the dogs rescued from a hoarding case in Dade County were in "horrible condition."
Catoosa County Government/John Pless
Trusley said the dogs ranged in age from eight weeks to 14 years and were in horrible condition.
Walker County Animal Shelter posted on its Facebook page: “These situations are never easy — they shake us to the core. But through the devastation, we are reminded of the strength and unity within the animal welfare community. When tragedy strikes, itÐÔÊӽ紫ý not about one shelter or one county — itÐÔÊӽ紫ý about all of us coming together as a team for the animals who need us most.â€
According to a Dade County media release, the teams that helped with the rescue arrived on the scene around noon on June 1 and worked until 2 a.m. the next morning.
The media release listed the agencies and groups that helped with the initial rescue. The lead agency, it said, was the Georgia ÐÔÊӽ紫ý of Agriculture.
Animal control workers from Gordon, Murray, Forsyth, Cherokee, Walker and Catoosa counties helped, as did LuckÐÔÊӽ紫ý Rescue and The Dade County Pet Project.
Sheltering and Veterinary support came from the Trenton-Dade Animal Center, and veterinary services came from Trenton-Dade Animal Center, Dade County Animal Hospital, and The Mountain Hospital for Animals.
Law enforcement officers from the Trenton City Police and the Dade County SheriffÐÔÊӽ紫ý Office were also on the scene helping.
For the 71 dogs taken in by Catoosa County, animal control workers set up something of an assembly line for many of the animals: a bath in a washing tub, then to the rinsing tub, a rub with a soft towel, and a vaccination.
Walker County also took some of the dogs. “For now,†the shelter said, “our top priority is giving them the care, patience and love they so desperately deserve.â€
Several rescues are working with government agencies to help find medical care and homes for the dogs.
“We were honored,†the Walker County shelter said, “to be able to assist in this large-scale rescue effort and to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with so many dedicated organizations and counties. Together, we made sure every single animal was safely removed and given a second chance.â€
Tamara Wolk is a reporter for The Catoosa County News in Ringgold, Ga., and Walker County Messenger in LaFayette, Ga.Â
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