26 dogs and cats have been rescued from IA home
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DES MOINES, IA (KPTM ) — Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) was able to do the unthinkable, they helped 21 dogs and five cats and kittens out a home and are now safe.
ARL Animal Services Officers say when they entered the house, the heavy stench of urine burned their eyes and lungs. Feces and trash covered the floor which made it difficult to move around the space. Dogs of all sizes were crowded everywhere.
They say rescuers found two adult cats and three 4-week-old kittens trapped in cages with litterboxes so overflowing, they were spilling out the sides of the cages. The cats’ fur was deeply stained with urine from living in their own waste for so long.
“It’s sad that we continue to see animals in distress due to hoarding. Yet, time and time again, the ARL will continue to be there for the pets that need us. These 26 pets are now on the path to receiving the care and attention they deserve,” says Tom Colvin, CEO, Animal Rescue League of Iowa.”
Rescuers say most of the dogs’ nails are so overgrown that it’s impossible for them to walk comfortably. The kittens’ ears are filled with mites and nearly all the pets will need spay and/or neuter surgeries and vaccinations. At least six of the dogs will need a lot of behavioral rehabilitation before they’re ready for new homes.
ARL’s Emergency Care Team met the pets at the shelter and examined each of them to determine individual treatment plans. Some of the dogs’ fur loss and skin conditions are severe from flea bites and the conditions they were living in. One senior dog is suffering from fur loss and skin sores, and what fur she does have is tightly matted. Another tiny dog with inflamed skin is missing nearly all the fur on her back.
The ARL is seeking help with the medical care for these 26 pets. Donations can be made online or by mail and/or in-person at 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313.
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