Hancock Animal Friends, Atlanta Humane Society, and ASPCA join forces to save dozens of dogs from unsanitary conditions and prepare them for adoption.
Image source: ATLANTA HUMANE SOCIETY/FACEBOOK
Animal rescue groups in Georgia rallied together to give over 80 dogs near Atlanta a new lease on life. The dogs were rescued by a compassionate woman who had dedicated herself to saving stray canines but found herself overwhelmed and unable to provide proper care for all of them.
Hancock Animal Friends, a Georgia-based nonprofit committed to aiding homeless dogs, joined forces with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to launch a large-scale rescue operation. The collaboration was prompted by a distress call from Hancock Animal Friends, seeking assistance in rescuing over 80 dogs from a property in central Georgia. Upon arrival, the rescue teams from both organizations were confronted with heartbreaking scenes of unsanitary conditions and numerous medical ailments. The dogs they found were afflicted with mange, overgrown nails, parasites, and various other health issues, including a dog with a broken limb and another suffering from conjunctivitis.
In a Facebook post, officials from Hancock Animal Friends revealed the circumstances behind the rescue operation. The woman who had been looking after the dogs, many of whom were previously stray animals she had saved, found herself overwhelmed by the growing number of pets in her care. Recognizing that she could no longer provide adequate care for all the rescue dogs, especially as some of them had recently given birth to puppies, she sought help from the animal welfare community.
Hancock Animal Friends revealed that the pet owner, who was genuinely attempting to seek assistance, felt disappointed and discouraged after being rejected by law enforcement. However, when the overwhelmed owner reached out to Hancock Animal Friends for support, the nonprofit immediately collaborated with the ASPCA and the Atlanta Humane Society to provide much-needed help.
Image source: ATLANTA HUMANE SOCIETY/FACEBOOK
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The combined efforts of the three organizations led to a successful rescue mission on Saturday, as they worked together to save 80 dogs from the property.
“Lots of hard work and tears yesterday but it got done,” officials with Hancock Animal Friends said on Facebook. “Dogs were rescued and this person is able to get their life back knowing there are people out there who can and will help. This is a huge learning experience for Hancock County and law enforcement to get involved before it gets out of hand. Thank you to everyone who was able to make this happen and finally get these dogs to shelters and medical attention for those that required it.”
Of the 80 rescued dogs, 29 were entrusted to the care of the Atlanta Humane Society, which will provide comprehensive medical and behavioral support to ensure their well-being prior to adoption. The remaining dogs were transported by the ASPCA to an emergency shelter, where they will receive the necessary medical attention and behavioral assistance before they are ready for adoption.
Image source: ATLANTA HUMANE SOCIETY/FACEBOOK
“The ASPCA is pleased to be in a position where we have the expertise and resources to help pet owners in need and improve the lives of animals in communities across the country. We commend Hancock Animal Friends for recognizing the need for additional assistance to provide appropriate care for these dogs and thank the Atlanta Humane Society for their support,” Kyle Held, ASPCA director of investigations, said in a release. “Some of these dogs will require medical treatment and behavioral rehabilitation, and we look forward to providing them with much-needed care and helping prepare them for the next chapter in their lives.”
The Atlanta Humane Society is appealing to the public for contributions to support the extensive medical needs of the rescued dogs. The organization is offering a triple matching program, whereby all donations received will be matched threefold.
“The Atlanta Humane Society is here to improve animal welfare across our state and be there for animals when they need us the most,” Tracy Reis, the director of Atlanta Humane Society’s Animal Protection Unit, said in a statement.
