In Morristown, Tennessee, two Hamblen County residents have been charged with animal cruelty after Hamblen County Animal Control stepped in and found 184 animals including dogs, cats and livestock living in a home and the yard.
On Friday, the animals were temporarily placed in foster homes as well as the Morristown Hamblen Humane Society. Officers and staff of the rescue organization were shocked at the awful conditions they observed while at the home. To make matters even more critical, the shelter is already at maximum capacity.
The rescue consisted of three cats, 68 dogs, chickens, quails, ducks, rabbits a goat. The owners surrendered all the animals to authorities. Although the conditions the animals had been living in were described as awful, most of the animals appeared quite healthy as they were being removed from the home.
The current Acting Director at the Humane Society, Carlee Stevenson, shared this rescue effort was one she had never faced before. A Facebook Live campaign on Friday night showed how the community came together and stepped up to help.
Donations have been arriving, including dog food, puppy food, beds, blankets and everything needed to help the animals. Foster parents have been stepping in, and a few other great supporters have adopted which clears up space.
The goal now is to keep finding safe and loving homes for these animals. There are still many dogs who need temporary and permanent homes. It is the shelter’s highest wish not to have to euthanize any of the dogs because there isn’t room to keep them safe.
The two women who owned the animals have been charged with misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. The district attorney’s office stated the women are not facing the more serious charges of aggravated animal abuse since most of the animals were in good physical condition. Sadly, this appears to have been two people with the best of intentions losing control of the number of animals they had been trying to rescue.
Anyone wishing to adopt or help, please call 423.581.1494 or just visit the shelter. To donate or get involved visit www.mh-humanesociety.com or on social media at www.facebook.com/morristownhamblenhumane.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
Afternoon naps
Would you face a lion?
