BERRIEN COUNTY, Ga. (WTXL) — We're learning that the Leon County Humane Society took in 76 of the nearly 700 dogs found living in "filthy" conditions inside a South Georgia home this week.
The Leon County Humane Society (LCHS), in coordination with other animal welfare organizations and law enforcement, says they recently rescued hundreds of dogs from a South Georgia puppy mill.
Over the course of 48 hours last week, LCHS took in a total of 76 dogs, one of the largest rescue missions it has ever undertaken.
As of Tuesday, all 76 dogs have been matched with foster homes where they are quickly learning to become companion animals. Financial support to assist with these dogs’ medical needs is the most urgent request.
They are mostly small breeds, poodles, maltese and shitzus, and ages range from 2 to 9 years old.
"Honestly the majority of the followups we've been receiving from fosters are just astounding. Everyone is amazed at how well these dogs are doing," said Lisa Glunt, the Humane Society’s Executive Director. "You know, they are very social, obviously with other animals because they have been cramped in very tight quarters with tons of other dogs. "
The organization says rescuers were "horrified" by the conditions that more than 600 dogs were living in. They say many of them needed immediate medical care for malnourishment, parasites, dental disease, severely matted fur, infections and general neglect.
According to LCHS, the property was breeding dogs for profit, and many of the animals are highly sought-after small breeds. After the rescue, volunteers spent most of the weekend grooming and cleaning the dogs, removing pounds of matted fur and debris from them.
"Because of the sheer number of dogs LCHS has taken in and their inevitable medical needs and veterinary costs, donations are critically necessary," officials said. "Volunteers have already answered the call for help by providing safe and comfortable foster homes as well as veterinary transport when necessary."
While all the dogs are in foster homes, LCHS is now preparing the dogs for adoption.
Glunt says they will make wonderful pets for someone looking for a small dog, but they have not been house broken, so anyone adopting them will have to work with them as if they were a puppy.
If you are interested in adopting any of these dogs, many will be present LCHS's Paws Fur A Cause adoption event at Proctor Subaru on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LCHS highly recommends interested adopters with pets already in the home bring current veterinary records showing proof of vaccinations and spay/neuter with them to the event.
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Nearly 700 dogs were found "in filthy conditions" on a south Georgia property, according to the Humane Society of Valdosta Lowndes County (HSVLC).
In a Facebook post, the organization said that they have been helping dismantle "one of the larger breeding/hoarding situations in Georgia history."
During the multi-organizational operation, 250 animals were transported off of the property on Sunday to a safe area where other rescues coordinated transfers of these animals to other rescue organizations in Georgia as well as neighboring states.
At least 630 dogs were found in the home. Officials say many of the dogs were coated in feces, had extremely overgrown nails and damaged teeth.
According to WALB, the puppy mill where the dogs were seized was located near Barney Parker Road in Berrien County. They report that late last week, a man voluntarily surrendered the animals after a routine dog breeder inspection by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
One organization, Releash Atlanta, called the scene an "extreme hoarding puppy mill case," saying the dogs were living in filthy conditions and that donations are desperately needed to rehabilitate the dogs.
"These dogs have been living in crates their whole lives- one tiny crate stacked on top of another," the Atlanta Humane Society wrote in a Facebook post. "They’re matted, covered in feces and have never been held or walked."
Ten of the dogs were brought to Atlanta on Sunday, the Atlanta Humane Society said.
"Our's and many other rescues worked together over several days to get every dog off of the property and into a rescue where they will be assessed, vetted, and rehabilitated," HSVLC wrote.
There's no word if any charges will be filed against the man who surrendered the dogs.
