90+ dogs discovered in Pennsylvania hoarder home stacked in cages and in need of immediate care

In Bedford Township, Pennsylvania, the State Police were called to a home on Saturday, December 30, for a suspected case of animal cruelty. What the officers found was even worse than anyone could have expected. As the troopers approached the home, there was an “overwhelming smell of dog feces” from the outside of the home.

According to the Bedford County Humane Society, troopers made contact with the property owners – an 82-year-old man and his companion, a 62-year-old woman. While they were talking, the officers spotted multiple dogs in the yard that appeared to be filthy and covered in feces. One of the dogs had an open wound.

The couple originally only admitted to having 15 dogs in the home, and then changed their story to owning 60 dogs. Officials discovered 96 dogs stacked in cages in the home from floor to ceiling along with eight cats and a turtle. There were also dead dogs inside and outdoors. Most of the animals appeared to be undernourished and covered in their own feces and urine.

The shelter immediately posted for help on their Facebook page:

As most of you know, we are in the process of rescuing approximately 90 dogs. They will be arriving at the shelter later tonight.

Many are asking what we need. We desperately need blankets and towels, along with funds to care for these precious dogs. We also desperately need VOLUNTEERS for tomorrow!!

All of these dogs need bathed, nail trims and many need groomed as well. Our shelter is already full, so now, while caring for the 40+ dogs we already have, we have an additional 90 that need extra TLC and we just don’t have enough employees to do it all!!

If you are able to volunteer, you can come to the shelter as early as 8 am tomorrow morning. Wear OLD clothing. Please do not bring small children.

Facebook post on New Year’s Eve

The shelter already had approximately 40 dogs and didn’t have enough people to help with this huge task. Fortunately, the community has been coming through for these innocent victims of hoarding and their subsequent neglect. The next morning a line had already formed outside of the shelter door ready to help.

Many thanks went to the Central PA Humane Society, Abby’s Angels, volunteer groomers and bathers, Dr. Bracken and staff, Dr. Erickson and staff and Drs. Karen and Amber and staff who assisted on scene and at the shelter as the dogs arrived.

Also thanked was Lashley’s Garage for the U-Haul, Baker’s Body Center for the mobile storage unit, Bedford Logistics, Bedford Reinforced Plastics and Nikki Edwards who supplied pizza, drinks and subs for the employees and volunteers. And not to forget Aerial Communications for the four large dog crates that were needed for the larger dogs to be made more comfortable.

To the local news stations and the Bedford Gazette for getting the story out there…

To the many other businesses who stepped up and assisted with items that we so desperately needed…

To our employees who have never seen anything like this before but are giving 110%…

And to all of YOU who came to the shelter and volunteered, dropped off donations, or did something else to help out…

Facebook

Yes, there were many people and businesses to thank, but 90 dogs coming into the shelter and all needing immediate help was a huge undertaking. Here’s to all the innocent lives saved and hopefully able to look forward to 2024.

If you can volunteer, they would love to have you. Donations of cleaning supplies will be needed along with monetary donations to assist with the vet bills/medications for these fur babies. Anything, no matter how small, is SO greatly appreciated!

Payments can be mailed to;

Bedford County Humane Society

182 Bohn Road

Bedford, PA 15523

or dropped off at the shelter.

An investigation is currently underway.

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