Update on Ohio

In June 2012, RedRover Responders helped a small humane society achieve its mission and a kindly woman regain control of her life during its deployment to Brown County, Ohio. What's more, RedRover ushered 66 dogs and puppies on to healthier and happier lives.

The Brown County Humane Society (BCHS) asked the RedRover Responders for help with 66 dogs who were going to be surrendered by their owner. Living in extreme poverty, Ruth Wilder could no longer afford to feed and provide even the minimal care she had managed. BCHS president Leslie Zureick was committed to rescuing the dogs from difficult hoarding conditions and keeping her promise to Wilder that the dogs would not be euthanized.

BCHS reached out to RedRover for help: with seizing the dogs, sheltering them and assisting with placement. With little resources and expertise in field seizures and emergency sheltering, the tiny but committed Brown County Humane Society needed some help in keeping its promise to Wilder.
Emergency Services Manager Beth Gammie coached Zuerick on applying for assistance from PetSmart Charities and the logistics of conducting a field seizure. Twelve RedRover Responders volunteers travelled to Ohio to set up a temporary shelter and created a hospitable temporary home for the beleaguered dogs. RedRover Responders volunteers assisted Jenny Cowdery, DVM, with the intake exams and vaccinations. And for the next 12 days, the volunteers coaxed the timid and scared dogs back to life.

RedRover Responders volunteers also played an instrumental role in placing the dogs, puppies and pregnant females with rescue groups. RedRover Responders volunteer Nova Keaton conducted outreach to rescue groups who might be interested in taking some of the rescued dogs into their programs. Marcia Goodman, a RedRover Responders volunteer Communication Assistant, took adoption photos of each dog for the BCHS’s special Facebook page to showcase the dogs to rescue groups.

The work of the RedRover Responders made a huge impact not only on the animals, and the BCHS, but for Wilder who surrendered her animals to give them a better life. With the peace of mind from knowing her animals were taken care of, Wilder is no longer struggling to care for nearly 70 dogs practically on her own. Reports indicate she has cleaned up her house and is optimistic about her future. In a follow up news story on the case, a local station checked back in with Wilder, and Zureick of the BCHS. It turns out that Wilder kept her promise to no longer hoard dogs. Last week, when a stray dog appeared on her property, she reached out to the BCHS to come pick up the dog, knowing it would be cared for and put up for adoption.

Ohio puppies on the path to better lives

RedRover Responders volunteer Donna Lagomarsino says goodbye to the 3 mamas and 16 puppies she cared for on this deployment. Donna medicated and cleaned each puppy daily, watched for signs of infection and soothed the mothers. Her peaceful and calm nature spread throughout the "Baby Barn," helping the tiny pups and moms settle in comfortably until rescue groups could take them in.

We're so thankful to be in Ohio to help change the course of these dogs' lives. It feels good to know that these puppies won't have to experience the squalor and misery that their mothers did. RedRover Responders will continue to work with rescue groups to send the Ohio dogs on their way to loving new homes.


Thank you, Donna, for taking such good care of these dogs. Just look at their happy faces!

VIDEO: Update on the dogs

RedRover Responders volunteers are in Georgetown, Ohio, to provide temporary sheltering and loving care for dogs who were rescued after their owner surrendered them. Final head count (or "wagging tail count") on Monday was 44 dogs, 22 puppies.

Watch the video below of a RedRover Responders volunteer taking a dog in for vetting; the dog might be pregnant!

• Donate now to support the Georgetown dogs
• Read the initial press release
• See more blog entries on this case

VIDEO: Dog Barney with RedRover Responders volunteer

Barney is an older dog who was rescued from unsanitary and dangerous conditions on private property in Brown County, Ohio. RedRover Responders volunteers are caring for the 65+ dogs and puppies; a veterinarian on the scene determined that many of the dogs suffered from mange and medical ailments such as skin infections and untreated wounds.

• Donate now to support the Georgetown dogs
• Read the initial press release
• See more blog entries on this case

PHOTOS: RedRover Responders in Brown County, Ohio

Our first batch of photos from the hoarding situation in Ohio have been posted to our Facebook page.

View more photos

VIDEO: Dogs rescued from hoarding situation in Ohio

RedRover Emergency Services Manager Beth Gammie describes the dogs' unsanitary living conditions with little or no protection from the elements. A veterinarian on the scene determined that many of the dogs suffered from mange, parvovirus and medical ailments such as skin infections and untreated wounds. "These dogs deserve better, and we're here to make that happen."



Read the press release: www.redrover.org/?navid=1108

VIDEO: RedRover Responders in Ohio

RedRover Responders volunteers are caring for 65+ neglected dogs rescued from unsanitary and dangerous conditions in Brown County, Ohio.

RedRover Emergency Services Manager Beth Gammie talks about a beagle who has just given birth in the temporary shelter: "Her puppies are never going to know the kind of life that she led."



Read the full press release: www.redrover.org/?navid=1108

Volunteers caring for 65 neglected dogs rescued from Ohio hoarder

RedRover Responders volunteers have deployed to operate a temporary shelter in Brown County, Ohio, for approximately 50 dogs and 15 puppies found living in unsanitary and dangerous conditions on private property in Georgetown.

Seven RedRover Responders volunteers have already traveled from Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Virginia to care for the rescued animals at the temporary shelter. Four more volunteers will arrive later this week.

Read the full press release.

Approximately 50 dogs and 15 puppies were found living in unsanitary and dangerous conditions on private property in Georgetown, Ohio.