Alaqua Animal Refuge recently responded to an animal neglect case in Dale County, Alabama with the rescue of 19 rat terrier mixed-breed dogs.
The owner of the animals sold their home and left numerous puppies, cats, and dogs behind to fend for themselves. The new homeowner realized the situation, but wasn’t amenable or capable of caring for them. Two local organizations assisted with rescuing the animals they could reasonably remove, which included the puppies and cats.
Alaqua found the remaining dogs severely starved, unsocialized, and terrified. Without anyone to take care of them and no option to defend themselves, their fate was not good. Most of the animals suffered from parasites; skin lesions; heartworms; fleas and flea dirt; elephant or tough skin and raw sores from biting and scratching their bodies; and some had congenital defects. Possibly the worst of all the conditions were many had worn down their front teeth because of chewing to try and make their skin feel better.
All of the 19 dogs are now in Alaqua’s care, and are being supervised by a team of medical professionals who are treating them for their ailments, administering appropriate vaccinations, and giving them individualized medical care. In addition, many of the animals will begin to work with Alaqua’s behavioral team to help them get used to human contact which so many need, and most definitely deserve.
“It is incredibly hard to imagine someone owning dozens of animals and leaving them behind. It is just difficult to understand the reasoning,” said Alaqua Founder Laurie Hood. “But it happened. Animal neglect happens all the time, all over. It is just unnecessary behavior to treat animals or leave anyone behind in this capacity.”
Alaqua is constantly faced with urgent, and unexpected, requests to help animals in need in order to provide them shelter, safety, comfort, healing, and the possibility of a second chance at life. At Alaqua, these services are second nature, but they put a strain on the Refuge. With the community’s help, everyone can have a direct and lasting impact on saving animals’ lives. Donations for these animals, and others in Alaqua’s care can be made here: http://bit.ly/safc20
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About Alaqua Animal Refuge Alaqua Animal Refuge is a no-kill animal shelter and sanctuary, located in the panhandle of Florida. As the Southeast’s premier 501(c)3 refuge, Alaqua believes that every abused, neglected and homeless animal deserves a second chance. Committed to providing protection, shelter and care to animals in need, this private, non-profit Refuge also offers a full-service adoption center, educational outreach, and community programs that extend far beyond their geographic location. Since its inception in 2007, Alaqua, led by Founder Laurie Hood, has become a recognized leader in animal rescue, welfare, cruelty prevention, and advocacy. Alaqua is currently in the midst of a relocation and expansion capital campaign to build a one-of-a-kind facility—the first in the United States—on 100 acres. The new facility and sanctuary will allow Alaqua to continue to do the important work of animal rescue and rehabilitation, as well as be an educational and training center for animal welfare advocates as a place that will inspire, empower, and educate others to make change in our society and recreate the model worldwide. To learn more, visit http://www.alaqua.org/
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