P.A.W.S. assists with rescue in Taylorsville dog hoarding situation
By McKenzi Layton
On Sept. 3, P.A.W.S Pet Adoption Center in St. George sent volunteers to help rescue several dogs from a hoarding situation in northern Utah.
One hundred and twenty-five small dogs were found in a small house in Taylorsville Aug. 30, most in questionable health, and two had recently given birth. There were too many dogs for the West Valley Animal Services to handle, so they reached out to many other Utah shelters for help. P.A.W.S responded immediately, agreeing to take in as many dogs as it could handle.
“P.A.W.S has stepped in many times to help other shelters across the country, including Hurricane Harvey,” P.A.W.S operations manager Lulu Hart wrote in a statement. “We especially help in our own state whenever asked.”
P.A.W.S ended up bringing 13 dogs to its shelter from West Valley Animal Services, including two who had recently given birth. Eleven of the dogs went to the adoption center, while the mother dogs went into foster homes. Since these dogs were brought to the shelter, ten have already been adopted.
“Being able to help in this situation and having the resources to care for these animals is why we do what we do.” Dog Room Manager Sarah Christianson said. “P.A.W.S has some incredible people within our organization, and our volunteers response to this tragedy, as well as the communities response, has been awesome to see.”
Director of West Valley Animal Services David Moss said this was the worst case of hoarding he had seen yet and that he suspects it may have been going on for three years or more.
Many neighbors had filed complaints about the smell and noise coming from the small house — enough for the health department to condemn it. As a result, animal control was sent to remove the dogs. Just to go inside, hazmat teams had to fully suit up, and animal control could only bring a few dogs out at a time.
All dogs have now been transferred to other shelters in order for all of them to get the help they need and go to loving, permanent homes.
P.A.W.S is in need of community support as the number of rescues increases with these situations. Donations to help with the welfare of these dogs can be submitted online at dixiepaws.org/donate, where there is also the opportunity to join the PAWS Club if you wish to do more. P.A.W.S is also in high demand for new volunteers at its rescue. Volunteers can work with dogs, cats, or kittens, in the office, or at the PAWSitivily Unique Thrift Boutique and require no previous experience. Learn more and apply at dixiepaws.org/volunteer.
Anyone can visit the dogs transferred to P.A.W.S and other animals at its adoption center or at any of its big events this month. There will be two adoption events as well as an appearance at the Sunriver Pet Festival. For more information regarding these events, visit dixiepaws.org/events/2018-09.
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