A striking animal rescue in northern Alberta, Canada, has left one local shelter caring for nearly 100 small-breed dogs at once after officers removed them from a single home.
The Fort McMurray SPCA is now confident the local community will step up to help out the rescues.
Here's what to know
CBC News reported that complaints from residents about dogs crying and whining at a home in Fort McMurray's Gregoire neighborhood led to a major response from authorities. Eventually, they took 97 small-breed dogs from the property.
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo bylaw manager Aaron Anderson said officers made repeated attempts to contact the residents but got no reply, per the outlet. After securing a search warrant under Alberta's Animal Protection Act, officers moved ahead with the seizure.
"Officers spent several hours safely removing the animals and transported them to the [Fort McMurray] SPCA," he told CBC News. "The residence conditions were unacceptable."
A total of 97 dogs ended up in the Fort McMurray SPCA's care, setting a record for the organization. Melanie Schneider, executive director of the Fort McMurray SPCA, confirmed to the outlet it "is the largest intake of dogs that we've ever had."
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According to Schneider, the dogs mostly need grooming and routine care, and staff have not identified any major health problems.
More background
Small dogs may already be stressed by overcrowding, unfamiliar surroundings, and sudden handling after being removed from a home.
"Right now, we just want to give them time to decompress," Schneider explained to CBC News. "Coming from a place, into here and then out the door can be traumatizing for them."
Although the SPCA hopes to move roughly half of the dogs into foster homes, Schneider added that the organization isn't taking foster applications yet. The outlet said the dogs will remain with the Fort McMurray SPCA, where staff is prioritizing grooming and minor treatment.
What's being done?
Community support has also surged. Schneider told CBC News that the SPCA has received a flood of support, including donations and offers from people wanting to help.
What the SPCA says it needs most are cash donations for food and vet bills, along with blankets, towels, and dog toys.
The organization is asking for patience as it works through the next steps for the dogs.
"The Fort McMurray community is absolutely amazing, especially in a crisis," Schneider declared to the outlet.
Fostering is the next step, and she expects it to happen quickly.
"I do see a huge list of fosters coming in, so we're going to be reaching out to each and every one of them," Schneider told CBC News. "We just need time."
Where can I learn more?
Large dog rescues and shelter overcrowding are all too common, as other stories from around North America show.
• At a Boca Raton shelter, dozens of chihuahuas rescued from hoarding are getting care.
• In Charlotte, officials plead for fosters and adoptions after overcrowding pushed the shelter into crisis.
• In Canada, former lab beagles reach foster homes safely after years without grass or sunlight.
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