Pima County Hoarding Case: More Than 40 Cats, Dogs Rescued
PIMA COUNTY, AZ—Pima Animal Care Center took in approximately 40 dogs and 3 cats from a home near South 4th Ave. and East 22nd St. on Tuesday. According to PACC, the owner asked for the center's help and is currently working with the shelter.
“The dogs’ owner is what we refer to as an overwhelmed caregiver,” said Kristen Hassen, Director of Animal Services. “While she loves her dogs, she has too many and was unable to provide appropriate care for them.”
The call came in as a request for assistance from the Tucson Fire Department who was assisting a patient in the home. The conditions inside were poor, shelter workers said. Animal protection officers reported a strong odor from the home with animal waste all over the floor. Ammonia levels in the house were quite high, they said.
Video of the animals arriving at Pima Animal Care Center
The dogs are all small to medium in size, according to PACC. They range in age from puppy to adult. The clinic is examining them, but most appear to be in good health. Shelter workers said many are very friendly and seem to enjoy being around people. Some dogs do have some matting in their fur, but they are being groomed by the shelter.
“We’ll be getting them spayed, neutered and vaccinated and adopted into new homes,” Hassen said. These pets will not immediately be available to foster or adopt, as they need to be cleared from the clinic. Currently there are 213 pets in the shelter in need of homes, along with 667 in foster care that need permanent homes.
Video of the dogs being groomed
People who would like to adopt one of the pets from this case should keep an eye on the available pets list located at pima.gov/adopt. In order to adopt a pet, interested parties should fill out an adoption survey located on the same page. For anyone who would like to help but can’t adopt or foster, they can make a donation to Friends of Pima Animal Care Center.
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This article originally appeared on the Tucson Patch
