RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — When the call came, Jade Byers said so many stepped up.
“They called and said we need help,” said Byers with Carolina Poodle Rescue, a non-profit rescue out of Pacolet, S.C.
According to Byers, the call came after Raleigh Animal Control responded to a home in southeast Raleigh where 101 dogs were discovered living in unsanitary conditions. Twenty-one chickens were also removed.
Carolina Poodle Rescue, Farm Friends Rescue, Black Tie Boston Rescue, Johnston County Animal Protection League, Mitchell Mill Animal Hospital Rescue, Perfectly Imperfect Pups, Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue, and SPCA of Wake County all responded.
Fifty-seven dogs from the home were received by Carolina Poodle Rescue, according to Byers.
“Something we say around the farm is life is precious and each and every one of their lives are precious,” Byers said.
In a post on social media, Wake County Animal Center shared, “We are so grateful to all our Transfer Partners that could step up on such short notice and help Raleigh Animal Control and the Wake County Animal Center with this case.”
Shelter staff said, “We were able to divert the animals from coming into our already crowded shelter.”
According to Byers, many of the dogs removed from the Raleigh home were poodle and doodle mixes who arrived to the rescue’s South Carolina farm that midnight. Severe matting, medical and dental issues, and orthopedic problems were just some of the concerns rescue will need to care for.
“They were being fed,” Byers said. “We don’t know what they were being fed. It could be anything from cheap cat food to just random dog food.
“None of them really act as if they were abused,“ she said. “But neglected? Yes. These dogs were ignored, they were pushed away, they were denied medical help.”
Jennifer Reel, the Vice Director of Carolina Poodle Rescue, showed just a few of the dogs that are also receiving support from their fosters. She held a Pomeranian now named “Vanilla“ with four four-day-old pups.
“There were seven other rescue groups that stepped up to help,” Reel said. “Knowing 101 dogs have a new path and are on their way to a happily ever after is the best feeling.“
According to Reel, the rescue is working to spay and neuter all dogs before they’re available for adoption. Some will require more care and medical attention than others. The puppies won’t be ready for another eight weeks.
“You would love to believe with all of the social media and narratives these types of situations didn’t still happen, you didn’t still have breeders trying to breed out of their homes and these excessive puppy mill types of situations,“ Reel said. “It remains a very sad reality.”
SPCA of Wake County, who received 15 of the dogs, also shared photos of the animals getting assessed by veterinarians, bathed, and groomed on Friday before starting individual treatment. They noted all dogs in need of foster care are currently in SPCA foster homes and others with less rehabilitation needs will be ready for adoption sometime in the next few days.
More information about the dogs and adoptions can be found on the SPCA website.
In an email, SPCA staff also shared, “Our ability to care for these pets is only possible with donations from the community. All donations are being matched dollar for dollar in donated veterinary services from Care First Animal Hospital [up to $150,000] to help provide the medical attention they need.”
Raleigh police have not confirmed any arrests or charges at this time, saying it continues to be an ongoing investigation.
