The good news we've been waiting for!

One of the many puppies rescued in Apache County.

This week an Arizona judge awarded custody of nearly 300 rescued animals to the Apache County Sheriff's Department. The animals were rescued from a hoarding situation on March 23 and have been living at a temporary shelter in St. Johns, Arizona, where UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service volunteers from around the country cared for them for several weeks.

The rescued animals will be transported to shelters and rescue groups throughout the Southwestern United States for foster care and adoption into new homes -- see list below.

You can see some of the adorable puppies who were rescued in our video:

Thanks to all the UAN volunteers, The Humane Society of the United States staff and volunteers, Apache County officials and the local residents who came together to help these animals get started on a better life!

And thanks to the following organizations for taking in these animals and agreeing to find them loving, adoptive homes:

• Denver Dumb Friends League
• Humane Society of Boulder Valley
• Larimer Humane Society
• Longmont Humane Society
• Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue
• Healing Hearts Animal Rescue and Refuge

Rescued animals continue to thrive

Submitted by UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies

Even though we did not get an ideal hearing last Monday (the judge ruled to give the defendant more time to prepare), we understand that in order to get the job done right, patience comes into play. In the meantime, the animals continue to thrive in our care: They are receiving food, water, socialization, treats and, most important, human interaction and compassion.

A once-shy dog does a "happy dance"
at the front of his cage.

We see daily improvements in most of our wallflowers or “shut downs." And the "semi-socials" are now bouncing at the front of their cages and vying for attention, as these pictures show. Due to the volunteers' dedication, many of the dogs and cats have gone from unsocialized or questionable adoption candidates to ready for adoption or short-term rehab. Daisy our pig is still thriving and loving every ounce of attention, and Click and Clack, the geese, are very accustomed to their new regular schedule. They start to get very vocal when they realize the dogs are getting fed and demand equal rights.

Chester (left) was humanely euthanized
due to serious intestinal problems that
many neglected dogs face because they
try to eat anything they can find.

We had sad news on Chester, the 10-year-old, emaciated, Labrador mix who was Buster’s kennel mate. After continuous vomiting and diarrhea with no response to a myriad of treatments, we collectively decided the kindest thing to do was put Chester out of his severe misery. He was not in stable enough condition to be an exploratory surgery candidate. After an immediate necropsy, a large denim rag was discovered entangled in his intestines, not allowing proper digestion of food and nutrition. Unfortunately this is typical of neglected and starving dogs: They will eat whatever they can find. At least he is not suffering anymore and was able to experience a short time of kindness and compassion.

Bucky is shy but is learning to trust.

As for the rest of our group, Scooter, our ultra-timid heeler mix is now happily approaching with wagging tail and hand licks, even jumping at the front of his cage. Bucky is learning to trust; Barney the ultra-shy Lab mix has made a complete turnaround, from shut down to seeking attention and accepting pets and attention; Juliet is just a bundle of happy puppy energy; and all of the animals are settling in enough to show their true, bright personalities.

Yukon

On Friday, both a civil hearing (to decide custody of the animals) and a criminal hearing (charging the owner and caretaker with 7 felony and 10 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty) will take place. Until then, we will carry on, giving these animals the very best of the best in care that they so deserve. Thank you all for your support.

Ocho

Sweet Pea

An homage to UAN volunteers, featuring Deb Hutcherson

Submitted by volunteer Marcia Goodman of Cromwell, Connecticut

UAN shelter manager to tired volunteer near the end of a day: “Do you have time now?”

Tired volunteer to shelter manager: “Sure! What can I do to help?”

This routine exchange says all you need to know about UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers. The volunteers come from all backgrounds, ranging from experts in animal care to people who just love animals and want to help. What the volunteers have in common is a drive to help animals in distress and a willingness to chip in and do whatever is needed: building cages, feeding and watering animals, cleaning cages, washing dishes, socializing animals as time permits, helping the vet or vet tech, and so on.

Deb carrying fence panels (left)

Volunteer Debra Hutcherson of Larue, Texas personifies this “can-do” attitude. I first met Deb at the UAN Mississippi response in 2010, where, on Day 1, she stood out as one of the people who had brought all the tools needed to build cages and went right to work. That was Deb’s second UAN deployment, and when I interviewed her then, asking why she volunteers with UAN, she said, “I feel that animals can’t speak for themselves and I want to help do that. Lots of people step up for human charities, but very few people are there to help animals."

Deb carrying puppies into the shelter

Deb has been on several UAN deployments since then, becoming one of Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies’ “go-to” people because she does everything, and does it all well. In fact, I got the idea for this post when I was reviewing photos from the recent UAN emergency sheltering operation in St. Johns, Arizona, and found that I have photos of Deb doing everything from carrying heavy cage parts to cleaning.

Deb building kennels

As far back as the 15th century, literature has contained the Everyman character, an “ordinary” individual with whom all readers can identify and who is often placed in extraordinary circumstances. Well, Deb personifies “Every UAN Volunteer." UAN volunteers identify with her, and she deploys to the extraordinary circumstances of building and running emergency animal shelters. She does every type of work a UAN volunteer can do, and she sets a high standard of excellence.

In focusing on Deb’s “Every UAN Volunteer” participation, this blog pays homage to all the volunteers at the St. Johns rescue, including friends already made and newly made, and also thanks Janell Matthies for organizing us. What a great team!

Rescued animals get needed medical care

Submitted by EARS volunteer Beth Gammie of Phoenix, Arizona

The rescued animals are being well fed.

The 228 animals rescued from a hoarding situation in Apache County, Arizona arrived at UAN's emergency shelter on March 23 and 24 in varying conditions: emaciated, undernourished, injured, timid, terrified, shut-down and lethargic. Veterinarians examined each animal and assessed their medical condition so they could receive appropriate care at the shelter, or be transported to a veterinary clinic. The animals suffered from conditions one would expect in animals living with minimal or non-existent care: malnourishment, dehydration, worms, untreated injuries (including bone fractures), mange and dental problems. With sound nutrition, water, shelter, and TLC from UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers, the turnaround in many of their conditions is amazing.

However, the sad reality for hoarded animals is that they often suffer serious medical problems that aren't so easily diagnosed and treated. UAN and its partnering agency, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), are determined that the rescued animals under their care receive the medical care they need.

Chester gets IV fluids at the vet clinic.

Chester is a case in point. This gray-bearded older gentleman quickly became a volunteer favorite at the shelter. His emaciated condition and lethargy appeared to be caused by malnutrition; his behavioral "shut down" seemed to result from the hoarding conditions under which he lived. Over the first week, Chester ate and drank. He hunkered down in the blanketed half-crate in his kennel, and seemed comforted by his kennel mate, Buster. However, Chester did not display the turnaround seen in other dogs. Two days ago, when we saw Chester vomiting, we transported him to the Alta Sierra Veterinary Hospital in Show Low for treatment. Dr. Steve Andersen ran bloodwork and put Chester on IV fluids. Friday Dr. Andersen said, "There's no diagnosis yet." Dr. Andersen and his team will continue to care for Chester, take X-rays and perform other diagnostic tests to find out what ails him.

X-rays revealed one dog
has a wire lodged in his torso.

For another emaciated dog being treated at Alta Sierra, X-rays revealed the cause of his problems. What appears to be a wire is lodged inside the torso of this poor guy. The staff at Alta Sierra continue to provide loving care to him, and make him as comfortable as possible as treatment options are assessed.

In Daisy the pig's case, the vet made a house call. At approximately 650 pounds, driving Miss Daisy requires a trailer. Dr. Milton DeSpain from the Cedar Ridge Veterinary Center came to the shelter and examined Daisy. EARS staff and volunteers noticed how overgrown Daisy's hooves are. During the rescue, HSUS staff noticed how painfully Daisy walked. We expected Dr. DeSpain to trim her hooves yesterday; however, he found Daisy so emaciated (she is only about half her healthy weight) he feared the sedation required for her hoof trimming might kill her. The best course of treatment is to continue building up her weight until it is safe to care for her hooves. We are also mixing her water with pedialyte and Gatorade on the vet's instruction because she is so dehydrated.

While we tend to focus more on the amazing recovery that many of the rescued animals make, EARS volunteers and staff alike bravely face hoarding's most tragic cases.

Squeaky toys squeak!

Submitted by EARS volunteer Beth Gammie of Phoenix, Arizona

Did I hear a squeak?

Word spread via the "canine telegraph" to the dogs at UAN's emergency shelter: squeaky toys squeak! Juliet, one of the more timid dogs rescued from the hoarding site in St. Johns, Arizona, made the initial discovery. Playing with a toy provided by UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers, she chomped down. Lo and behold--a squeak emerged! Startled at first, Juliet soon realized how fun this new game actually is. Her playfulness is even more remarkable given the emotional and behavioral "shut down" that Juliet initially displayed when first rescued.

Juliet is just one of the many rescued animals who are displaying more barking, tail wagging and meowing now that they are feeling better. Janell Matthies, EARS Emergency Services Manager, noticed the changes taking place in the animals under our care. "As dogs feel better, there's more barking and acting out. Rawhides and toys are helpful for their well-being. This helps relieve their tension."

UAN Volunteer Coordinator Susie Hawkins
with Juliet and her kennelmate Deliah.

Bucky, another timid dog, continues to open up. EARS volunteer Jodi Jenkins gently works with Bucky to help him learn to trust people. The work pays off. "Bucky has changed so much, even in the short time I've been here," said Jodi, who arrived five days ago. Behavioral work with rescued dogs, who have had little positive human contact, happens at the dog's pace. Jodi sat outside Bucky's kennel and offered treats. On Wednesday, when Jodi fed Bucky, she said, "I went into the kennel and he came toward me then went back. So I put the food down in the middle of the kennel and stood there, so he'd get used to being around a person." By Thursday, he took treats from her hand. Jodi lights up when she tells what happened yesterday: "I said 'Hi, Bucky!' and he was at the front of the cage, tail wagging!"

An EARS volunteer and puppy take a break.

Daisy the pig is also feeling her oats. Our "serenity pig" used to lay in her pen as volunteers made her meals of swine feed, bread, fruit and vegetables mixed with water to a soupy consistency. It's hard not to notice that Daisy is feeling better. EARS volunteer Colette Neron said that Daisy "got right on her feet and came over for her breakfast." Jodi, who was helping, continued, "We were putting the food in to mix up ... She whacked the edge of the bowl with her snout and tipped it over, and started eating the feed" before the rest of her breakfast ingredients could be mixed in.

Seeing the animals under our care come back to life--even if it means dealing with a bit more barking--is a joy to witness. And having a once-terrified cat or dog learn to trust you after experiencing years of neglect and abuse from humans is profoundly humbling.

Cute alert: Puppy videos

Check out these short videos of PUPPIES from our temporary shelter in Arizona. A team of UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers is caring for more than 250 animals rescued from a hoarding case on March 23--including four nursing moms and their pups.

EARS volunteers have tails wagging

Submitted by EARS volunteer Beth Gammie of Phoenix, Arizona

EARS volunteer Colette Neron and
rescued momma dog Cookie Dough

When UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteer Colette Neron gets a break from her duties of feeding, watering and cleaning kennels, she heads straight to her favorite spot at this emergency shelter: a kennel containing Cookie Dough and her two pups. Cookie Dough is a sweet cattle dog mix who has won the hearts of many volunteers because of her unwavering good nature. It doesn't hurt that she has two cute, snow-white pups who bear a resemblance to miniature panda bears. Colette says, "She is so sweet. And she's a good mom, too." Tail wagging, Cookie Dough bounces with happiness whenever volunteers approach.

Here is a short video of Cookie Dough nursing her pups:



Scout is a little beagle mix who is slowly responding to love and attention from EARS volunteers. When he first arrived, this little guy made himself as little as possible, even burrowing his head down into the corner of his kennel. Volunteers sat quietly by Scout's kennel, helping him get used to simply having people around. It was a victory when Scout raised his head and dared to look around! Yesterday, he tentatively sniffed a treat that volunteer Bonnie Larson offered. Scout has gone through a lot, and its clear that he'll continue to need extra love and attention in order to learn people can be counted on. By rescuing Scout from a life of neglect and providing love and care, UAN has begun that process.

Rescued cat Filo gets a pet from
EARS volunteer Karen James

Karen James, an EARS volunteer from Denver, showers love and kindness on the cats at the shelter. "I love cats. I just absolutely love cats," she says. It shows as Karen talks about some of the cats she provides care for. Moses is a coal black cat rescued from the hoarding site. Karen saw his personality come out with just a bit of TLC. "He was cowering in the back of the cage, and he's just become a love-bug," she explains. "He's very playful." Shirley is a beautiful dilute calico who is also coming out of her shell. Karen says, "Shirley was a little timid but she is warming up to people." The neglect these cats experienced is evident. When Karen pet Filo, a beautiful Himalayan cat, she felt "tons of mats all over his fur."

Daisy the "therapy pig" has many admirers

As always, on this deployment the TLC flows both ways. Volunteers are touched by the love they receive from the animals under their care, and get attached to particular dogs, cats and even pigs! Daisy has become a "therapy pig" for EARS volunteers and UAN staff alike. Her serenity and peace is contagious. A few minutes sitting quietly with Daisy, scratching her back and rubbing her ears, does wonders. When volunteer Paula Redinger left yesterday, she asked me, "Can you get pictures of Baxter and Sneaky Pete? And the geese!" Miles is a scruffy terrier mix who is one of volunteer Bonnie Larson's favorite.

Along with sound nutrition, shelter and medical care, EARS volunteers provide the animals under their care one of the most important things needed for their healing: love. Showing these animals love--and watching them respond after a lifetime of neglect--is one of the most powerful experiences for those of us privileged to care for them.

Rescued dog Bucky finds a happy place

Submitted by EARS volunteer Marcia Goodman of Cromwell, Connecticut

On Monday, March 28, I met with EARS volunteer Paula Redinger of Tucson, Arizona to learn more about how the dog we've named Bucky has been progressing at the emergency animal shelter that UAN built and is managing. Here is an excerpt from our interview.

Bucky was not interested in interacting
when he arrived at the temporary shelter.

Marcia: Tell us about Bucky when you first met him.

Paula: When I first met Bucky, he was pretty nervous, trying to hide in the back corner of his cage, and he wasn’t interested in interacting.

Marcia: What have you been doing to get him out of his shell?

Paula: Well, a little food tossed into his cage convinced him I wasn’t such a terrible person. Before I knew it, he would take a little food from my hand; now he thinks we’re not so bad.

EARS volunteer Paula Redinger
coaxes Bucky with a treat.

Marcia: Do you work with him inside his kennel or from outside?

Paula: At the very beginning, I thought that going into the cage might be too much for him to handle, so I was tossing little kibble bits into his cage. At first, I tossed them across the entire cage, and then I tossed them half-way across the cage, and then six inches from me, and then he’d take them from my hand if I didn’t look at him, and now he’ll pretty easily eat from my hand.

Marcia: How is he coming along?

Within a few days, Bucky began
interacting with the volunteers.

Paula: Well, he's only been at the shelter a few days. He’s still a little bit nervous. He doesn’t trust us completely, but he shows more interest than before. He shows some interest in interacting and some interest that perhaps I might have food.

Marcia: With your experience as a Vet Tech and in handling dogs, what do you see as his future?

Paula: I think he can find a happy place to be. He might be a little nervous around strangers. That might not go away, but I think he could find a place and be comfortable with people he knows.

We'll continue to let our blog readers know about Bucky's progress while he's in the emergency shelter.

Meet Chester!

Submitted by EARS volunteer Marcia Goodman of Cromwell, Connecticut

Chester is an adorable dog who was "shut down" when he arrived at the shelter. I talked with UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies about his situation at the time of his rescue, and then I interviewed EARS volunteer Sara Dawdy of Sunnyvale, California, who has been spending time with Chester to try to get him out of his shell.

First the background from Janell:

Chester was shy and "shut down"
when he arrived at the temporary
shelter after being rescued.

Chester arrived at the shelter with his current kennel mate, Buster. At the time of the rescue, they were in a relatively large enclosure with seven dogs near a very dilapidated mobile home, so they did have access to some shelter. They had no running water on the property so the dogs came in extremely dehydrated. They were getting some food on that property, but the larger dog, Buster, ate all of Chester’s food.

Now that these dogs are in UAN’s care, we’re able to make sure Chester eats his share of food. We're now seeing Chester come around dramatically. He was completely shut down when he came in. He didn’t move, and he was a very big concern.

EARS volunteer Sara Dawdy has spent time with Chester, and he has made major improvements in a very short time. Now that he’s getting appropriate nutrition, Chester is beginning to show interest in life. Here’s my interview with Sara Dawdy:

Chester and Buster

Marcia: Tell us a little bit about Chester. What was he like when you first met him?

Sara: Chester is a little black-and-white dog, horribly skinny for a little guy, and very, very shy. When I met him, he was pretty close to shut down. He turned his head away whenever you looked at him. He didn’t want to come forward to the front of the cage at all. He was just hiding.

Marcia: How is he today?

Sara: Compared to how he was the first few days, he has been completely fabulous. He actually took three milk bones from me today, which is very exciting – he took them directly from my hand. When I call him, he’ll actually come forward to the front of the cage, slowly but surely, and give me a tail wag.  

Marcia: What have you been doing to help turn him around?

Chester learns to be brave with
EARS volunteer Laura Wright of
Fallbrook, California

Sara: I’ve been standing there, not looking directly at him so it doesn’t stress him out, but standing sideways and talking to him and his kennel mate, Buster. I think Buster does gives Chester confidence as well – for Chester to see Buster interact happily with people helps Chester too. And I’ve been giving Chester some milk bones. But the quiet talking seems to help him quite a bit.

We'll continue to keep everyone informed about Chester's progress in future blogs as long as he is at the UAN emergency shelter.

Meet Juliet and Deliah!

Submitted by EARS volunteer Marcia Goodman of Cromwell, Connecticut

When we walk into the main barn at the EARS emergency shelter in St. John, Arizona, we immediately see Juliet and Delilah in the front cage, hanging out together. Delilah looks fine, and Juliet seems shy but willing to accept human friendliness. This is a big change from when they arrived at the shelter. I talked with Janell Matthies on Monday, March 28, about their former situations and their progress at the shelter.

Juliet the day after the rescue.

Marcia: Let's start with Juliet. How was she at the beginning of the rescue?

Janell: Juliet came in as a "caution" dog because she was so scared. She went into survival mode out on the property when the rescuers were trying to catch her. Juliet has probably never had human contact and didn’t know what the rescue workers were doing. She was very, very nervous and the rescue workers were concerned she might be a fear biter because she showed her survival instincts. When she arrived at the shelter, Juliet kept herself in a ball in the back of her cage for the first 72 hours.

Marcia: How has she progressed since then?

Juliet starting to come out of her shell.

Janell: Multiple volunteers have gone into her cage and sat with her, and given her treats. Now, she’ll actually come up to you and give you kisses on your hand. She’ll  even take food out of your hand, and she’ll let us touch her now.

Marcia: How about Juliet’s kennel mate, Delilah?

Janell: While Juliet was a major behavioral concern, Delilah was a medical issue. She has a very old compound fracture and her leg is completely unusable. It’s still painful for her because there are fragments still in there; it’s pretty much shattered. Delilah will be an amputee candidate, and, as many people know, a dog with three legs is 100 percent dog. This will not be an issue for her.

Marcia: How have you made Delilah comfortable?

Janell: We have her on some pain meds, so she should be pain free now. We took x-rays, and we've made sure that we've done everything we can do to make her comfortable until she can have the surgery. And she’s coming around very nicely.

Marcia: Were Juliet and Delilah together at the time they were rescued?

Janell with an attentive
Juliet and Deliah.

Janell: No, they're not related, and they were on different sections of the property. But we had put them in crates next to each other, and their personalities seemed to go well together. In order to get them more socialized – since dogs do better when have another buddy with them  – we’ve now put them in the same cage, and it seems like they’re getting comfortable with each other. One other thing that Juliet and Delilah have in common is that they’re both getting spoiled rotten by the volunteers!

 

We'll continue to report on Juliet's and Delilah's progress in future blogs as long as they are at the UAN emergency shelter.

Rescued animals begin revealing their personalities

Submitted by EARS volunteer Marcia Goodman of Cromwell, Connecticut

Who are the animals who suddenly arrived at the temporary shelter we built . . . what are their personalities? We couldn't find out on the day they arrived at the shelter, or the next day, because they were bewildered by the sudden change in their surroundings, and by the large number of people suddenly surrounding them.

Daisy the pig is underweight

But over the last couple of days, the animals' personalities have started to emerge, and we've started to give them names. Daisy, the pig, is a charmer. She rolls in the mud that we make for her and snorts her appreciation when her back is scratched. Many of us had thought of geese as aggressive, but these geese just move to another part of their pen when we arrive for feeding, watering or cleaning. They're beautiful!

The cats are a surprise to me. I expected all of them to be feral, and some seem to be, but there are the friendly ones and a few are eager for affection.

The dogs have personalities that are all over the lot. Some have tails wagging -- a few wag their entire bodies -- when we approach, as if starved for affection. Others just stare at us with curious or sad eyes, as if wondering what's happening. Still others are curled up in the back corners of their kennels completely afraid. The volunteers have begun trying to coax these dogs from their hiding places.

We have four moms with pups, and three have pups who are in transition from nursing to eating puppy food. Feeding time can be challenging when six or eight pups are in a frenzy, trying to eat everything in sight, including mom's food. We hold mom's food up in the air so she can eat and the puppies can't reach her food. In fact, for all the dogs who are housed in groups rather than individually, we watch carefully to make sure that the alpha dog doesn't eat everyone else's food. We leash some dogs during feeding so every dog in that pen gets the nutrition he or she needs. We think the prior failure to do this is the reason that some dogs are emaciated.

Feeding time for the pig is entertaining. We have a base of swine food and on top, we add everything we can find that she likes, from apples to the volunteers' leftovers from lunch. Our pig, though very big, is only about half the weight she should be, so we're working hard to correct that.

EARS volunteer Sara Dawdy
and Bixby

The volunteers' days now are falling into a routine. We arrive at the shelter at 8:30 a.m. and immediately feed the animals. Then we have a meeting, followed by cleaning the pens and refreshing the water. We also complete the animal care sheet for each animal so we can find out as early as possible if any health issues exist. We record information about their likes and dislikes that other volunteers might find useful during socialization. Janell, UAN's Emergency Services Manager, also parcels out special projects. After lunch we have socialization time with the animals and more special projects, and then comes the afternoon feeding and quick cleaning. By then it's 6 pm and time for dinner.

In tomorrow's blog I'll start focusing on a few animals who already appear to be making progress at our shelter. Animals are so forgiving!

220 rescued animals getting TLC in Arizona

Submitted by EARS volunteer Marcia Goodman of Cromwell, Connecticut

EARS volunteer Chris Pearne and two
geese who were rescued on march 23

Great news! Until today, we could not write about or take photos of the rescued animals, but we have just received permission to do both. I know that this is what everyone's been waiting for.

More than 220 animals were seized in this rescue. Most are dogs and cats, but we also have a lovable pig we've named Daisy and two delightful geese. The demeanor of the dogs ranges from outgoing, charming snugglers to very shy and cowering wallflowers. A few are emaciated, and a number have medical issues.

These first few days have been a transition time for the animals. They had a miserable life on the hoarder's property, but it was a life they knew. When the rescuers arrived, the animals, of course, didn't know who we were and were frightened of the unknown. Now they've begun to relax in their new, clean homes, with a ready supply of water and food, as well as volunteers who make sure that all of them, not just the alpha dogs, get a good meal.

There have been challenges to reach this point. At the hoarder's site, many of the dogs were grouped together in various kennels, and the UAN and HSUS staff had to make sure that, at the emergency shelter, those dogs were kept together rather than risk co-mixing dogs who hadn't lived together before. Since so many dogs arrived at the shelter at the same time needing immediate housing, the logistics were a challenge. Thankfully, UAN and HSUS have partnered many times before and are experienced in addressing such issues. The intake process went very smoothly. 

Another challenge is keeping the animals warm, especially at night. Even though the temperature reads in the 60s during the day, we've had 20 to 30 mph winds, making it feel more like the mid-30s during the day, and even colder at night. We've spent hundreds of dollars keeping the animals warm and finding "wind resistant bedding." Now, with tarps, kennels, shavings and blankets, all of the animals seem very content. We are seeing a lot of napping, stretching and wagging tails.

With all of the preparatory work over the past few days, the volunteers just began spending socialization time with the animals on Saturday. Over the next few days, as we get to know their personalities, we'll share more about particular dogs and cats, as well as the geese and pig. So, please stay tuned . . .

Animal rescue touches a community

Submitted by EARS volunteer Beth Gammie of Phoenix, Arizona

By Thursday, news of the massive animal rescue from deplorable hoarding conditions spread throughout St. Johns, Arizona and neighboring areas. Television news reports showed video of some of the dogs at the hoarding site, and informed the community of the joint rescue and sheltering efforts underway. The community responded.

At the shelter site, one man walked up to an EARS volunteer and offered the use of his pen to shelter the rescued geese. Today, a couple drove up to the shelter site and began unloading cases of soft drinks and loaves of banana bread for the volunteers. They were touched by the efforts of UAN and other partnering agencies to rescue the hundreds of dogs, cats and other animals from lifetimes of suffering. Not seeking any recognition or gratitude for their generosity, the couple quietly drove off after unloading their van. Such acts of kindness, coming from the heart, buoyed and touched volunteers and staff alike.

Tyson, an Apache County employee, helped
the volunteers move heavy fence panels.

Tyson, an Apache County employee, labored mightily along with EARS volunteers to build kennels to house the dogs. To the eternal gratitude of every volunteer present, Tyson transported heavy kennel panels with a county forklift.

The rescue and sheltering effort also touched local businesses. UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies called Alta Sierra Veterinary Hospital, in Show Low, seeking care for some of the dogs in more critical condition. Staff at Alta Sierra heard of the rescue on the news; they were "thrilled" we were seeking their help and responded in a big way. That day they took three of the more critical dogs and provided veterinary care and boarding. Alta Vista generously is providing its services at a discounted rate and providing care and comfort to these and other animals in need. It didn't stop there.

Volunteer vet techs Elizabeth and Fran.

Two of Alta Sierra's vet techs, Elizabeth and Fran, volunteered their services for free. Today, they drove the 48 miles from Show Low to the shelter and assisted vets in examining and vaccinating dogs. Elizabeth explained, "When Janell called the clinic to see if we could take some animals, we jumped in to volunteer. It's an opportunity to help the animals, and it's why we're in the field." Elizabeth was impressed by EARS and its rescue effort. "It's a great organization, and its great to see there are people out there to help animals in these situations." When asked why she volunteered her vet tech services, Fran replied, "Animals are my soul."

It's clear that when UAN and its EARS volunteers go into a community to rescue animals in need, people are touched by the compassion of our mission, staff and volunteers. The fact that EARS volunteers come to a community simply to help suffering animals inspires others to get involved in the effort to aid animals in distress.

A shelter arises

Submitted by EARS volunteer Beth Gammie of Phoenix, Arizona

A shelter has been born! Over the last few days, UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) volunteers worked tirelessly to transform the mounds of food, supplies and kennel panels into a thriving shelter for 228 rescued animals.

EARS volunteers Rose, Juanita
and Mary constructing kennels.

Day 3, Thursday, began at a nippy 46 degrees, but the work of feeding and watering the animals kept EARS volunteers warm. Once those animals were cared for, volunteers began readying the grounds for the rest of the animals expected to arrive that day. Soon a network of additional kennels took shape. Other volunteers secured tarps along the perimeter to shelter the animals from the relentless desert winds.

In the afternoon, volunteers paused to welcome the pig and two geese who joined the community of rescued dogs and cats. As volunteers continued constructing kennels for the arrival of the remaining dogs and cats, word arrived that the number of rescued animals was even larger than anticipated. Without missing a beat, the team surveyed the remaining materials and began constructing the housing for these additional animals. Powered by flexibility, a "can-do" attitude and the desire to do right by these animals, EARS volunteers figured out how to make kennels for all of the additional animals.

Soon, the call went out that the truck was arriving with the second transport of rescued cats and dogs. All EARS hands were on deck to move the animals with care and compassion from the truck to their kennels. In pairs, volunteers walked or carried the new arrivals to their temporary shelter. A steady stream of cats and dogs flowed from the truck into the arms of EARS volunteers until every animal was safely housed. By night's end, the volunteers surveyed the community of rescued animals that now existed, and left the shelter satisfied that all their hard work paid off.

Snow and sleet won't stop UAN volunteers from helping animals

Submitted by EARS volunteer Marcia Goodman of Cromwell, Connecticut

EARS volunteers carry a fence
panel needed to build kennels
at the temporary shelter

"Neither snow nor sleet . . ."  That could well be the credo of UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), given the fierce snowstorm in Flagstaff, Arizona, that blew many of the volunteers into town for this rescue mission earlier this week. But despite the inclement weather, EARS volunteers from Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Utah and as far away as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Ontario, Canada have made their way to the small town of St. Johns, Arizona, in rural eastern Arizona, to provide temporary shelter for animals in need.

The animals -- more than 250 of them -- were rescued from a hoarding situation yesterday. The animals are mostly dogs, but also cats, geese, a pig and maybe some other species -- we don't have an accurate total count yet. UAN is partnering with The Humane Society of the United States, the Apache County Sheriff's Department (which initiated the rescue and served the arrest warrant) and PetSmart Charities Emergency Relief Waggin' program, which provided tons of critical supplies.

EARS volunteers build a kennel

Day 1 of the deployment was Tuesday, March 22 and it was dedicated to the unglamorous physical labor of carrying and erecting large kennels and doing other necessary preparation for the animals who would arrive the next day. But glamor or not, without the kennels, there would be no rescue, and rescuing animals is why we're all here. It's pretty amazing to watch a temporary shelter transform from an empty room into a home for animals with sturdy, well constructed kennels and filled with plush wood shavings for their floors. These are clean facilities that will be kept clean for the rest of their stay with us.

Day 2, Wednesday, can be called the "Big A" day for the Anticipation of the arrival of the animals. Most of the EARS volunteers continued the preparation at the shelter site, while a few went with The HSUS and other partnering agencies to the hoarding site for the exhausting undertaking of removing the animals from the property after the Sheriff's Office made the arrests and collected any evidence they needed.

Without volunteers to build the
temporary shelter and care for the
animals, the rescue couldn't take place

Back at the shelter, late in the day, as darkness descended on us, the day's Anticipation was met with reward as the first trucks with animals started to arrive -- more than 100 animals with more to arrive tomorrow. Because the sheriff served the hoarder with a criminal warrant, this is a criminal seizure and we cannot yet discuss the particulars or include photos of the animals. Almost all are big dogs, and it was rewarding to see them in comfortable, safe settings and to know that they have hopeful futures.

Today we expect to build more kennels to accommodate the rest of the dogs and other animals who will be arriving in the afternoon. We'll all be eager to get through that work, as well as our chores of feeding the animals and cleaning their cages, so we can have a few minutes to meet the animals already here before the rest of the animals arrive. Extensive vet checks will also take place today for the animals who need it.

On Friday, we should have our first full regular workday of feeding, cage cleaning and, hopefully, the beginning of socialization time.

Read more about this response:

• UAN press release
• azfamily.com news story