When UAN is busy, animals are happy

A popular adage says, "When it rains it pours," and it is certainly raining cats and dogs for United Animal Nations (UAN). But when UAN is busy, that means neglected animals are on their way to a better life. 

A litter of pit bull puppies was among the
198 dogs and 31 cats rescued in Alabama

Our Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers are caring for almost 600 animals removed from two overcrowded and unsafe private shelters in Ohio and Alabama.

On February 28, 12 EARS volunteers began caring for 198 dogs and 31 cats removed from dirty and unsafe conditions at Dirty Sally’s Pet Pals, a nonprofit in Gordon, Alabama claiming to offer animals for adoption.

Two of the dogs rescued from Dirty Sally's
Pet Pals. Photo: Kathy Milani/HSUS

The animals at Dirty Sally’s Pet Pals were housed in feces-ridden outdoor pens, inside dilapidated trailers and chained to trees throughout the property. Cats were living in a dirty pen with little protection from the cold and rain. A veterinarian determined that many of the dogs suffered from medical ailments such as skin infections, untreated wounds and other serious ailments.

UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies report that most of the dogs are happy and friendly despite enduring years of neglect. They have been taking plenty of naps between a steady routine of feeding, cleaning and vet exams.

Watch this video of rescued dog Rosie who has transformed from a terrified dog on a chain to a loving, playful pet-in-waiting:

A pup rescued in Ohio falls asleep in the
arms of a UAN volunteer

Meanwhile, in Franklin County, Ohio, another team of EARS volunteers is tending to 350 dogs freed from a similar case of neglect -- overcrowded and filthy conditions at a private animal sheltering operation known as One More Chance Rescue and Adoption in Springfield, Ohio.

The dogs were forced to live in their own waste, alongside rats and other vermin. Many were in critical condition and varying stages of illness. One More Chance Rescue and Adoption has been declared a public health nuisance and animal cruelty charges are still pending in this case.

A dog huddles outside before the rescue.
Photo: Mike Bizelli/ASPCA

EARS volunteer Norma Rodriguez of Bellflower, California says the dogs are matted and underweight, but friendly and curious about the EARS volunteers who are feeding them and cleaning their kennels. Last night one Labrador mix gave birth to eight puppies --all of them healthy and ready to start their lives in a better place than their mother was rescued from.

"They were born in a warm, clean environment, and their Momma is really proud of them, showing them off to everyone who passes by," Norma said.

Read more about the Ohio response in our press release.

Please visit the UAN Web site to learn more about animal hoarding, a psychological condition in which people collect more animals than they can provide proper food, shelter, sanitation and veterinary care for.

You can also support UAN’s work to provide temporary sheltering for animals rescued from large-scale cruelty situations by donating to our Disaster Relief Fund.