Seeking fosters: Lakewood Ranch animal rescue takes in more than 50 dogs from hoarding case
MANATEE COUNTY (WFLA) — Last week, the folks at Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue responded to an urgent call for help from North Florida. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office had removed more than 200 dogs from a hoarding situation and the local animal control facilities were overwhelmed.
The rescued based in Lakewood Ranch transported more than 50 dogs and puppies to their facility, many with worms, fleas, matted coats, and a variety of medical issues.
“Some of the animals that came to us ranged in degree from mild illness to severe illness, late stage congestive heart failure. One of the dogs had actually been pregnant and miscarried very early during her transport from the hoarding situation to animal control,” said veterinarian nurse Karissa Mayer.
The sheriff’s office called Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue their “#1 hero” in a Facebook post last week.
“They stepped up and took some of our hoarding case dogs that needed the most medical care, love and patience. We are grateful to all the rescues who helped and pulled but we do want to recognize Nate’s for pulling some of the hardest cases,” the post said.
Staff and volunteers are working hard to help get the dogs healthy, socialized and ready for adoption.
Right now, their shelter space is at full capacity with ongoing construction limiting space. The dogs and puppies from the hoarding case are currently being housed in a building meant for intake and quarantine.
We are told their greatest need right now is for fosters.
“We need fosters for dogs that were here prior to these animals coming in; puppies or adult dogs that may have needed some extra TLC already and then fosters for these guys as they continue to get healthy and learn how to be a dog. We are always in need of basic care supplies, anything like pee pads, we do go through a lot of towels, and sheets and people are great about donating those,” said Mayer.
You can fill out an application on shelterluv.com.
The rescue also needs supplies and monetary donations to help cover medical expenses.
The nonprofit shared an wish list of items they need on Amazon.
We’re told this is the second large-scale hoarding case the Manatee County rescue has assisted with in the last three months.
“We need to work on reducing the number of hoarding situations we have. So if you know somebody that is struggling, make the call because they need help just as much as the animals do and then the community comes together so that we can care for the animals and we can care for the people and we can stop this from happening,” said Mayer.
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