From the field: Day 2 in Montana

Submitted by EARS volunteer Ruth Koehler of Western Montana

September 2, 2010

Yesterday, UAN and HSUS staff removed 96 medium sized dogs from a home in rural eastern Montana. At the end of an extremely long day, all of the dogs were safely sheltered at the Fallon County Fairgrounds in Baker. Although they were removed from squalid conditions with 82 of the dogs living in the house with the owner, the animals appear to be well-fed and in reasonably good health.

Eight UAN volunteers are assisting HSUS staff on this second day, cleaning, feeding and carrying the dogs to the veterinarians for their first-ever veterinary care. The dogs, who are all descendants of the owner’s three original dogs, are a German shepherd cross type. In spite of a lack of socialization and having spent most, if not all, of their lives locked in a house, most of the dogs are quite friendly and are quickly adjusting to the new care and attention they are receiving from UAN volunteers.

It's common for people to become overwhelmed with more animals than they can care for. For more information on hoarding, please visit www.uan.org.