Animals are still being examined and processed in what is now being called a large-scale animal neglect case in Habersham County.
The hundreds of animals discovered Wednesday on property near Clarkesville have all been removed and relocated to emergency shelters. Each must now be examined and photographed.
“I’m hoping Monday we may have some answers as far as identifying what’s going on,” says Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Hawkins. She says no charges will be filed until all of the animals have been carefully screened and their conditions documented.
“Once charges start coming out, you only have 48 hours to complete all those charges,” she explains. “We want to make sure we’re not missing anything.”
RELATED: “False information” shuts down volunteer recruitment for emergency shelter
Volunteer recruitment efforts abruptly ended Sunday after social media groups began spreading information that stolen, chipped animals had been recovered at the scene. Hawkins says those claims are “not true.” Owners of lost pets were encouraged to show up at the emergency shelter. Hawkins says that overwhelmed her staff and put the animals at risk. As a result, only volunteers from the Humane Society of the United States and Habersham County Animal Care and Control will now be allowed to help care for the animals.
It started with a barking complaint
Various animal welfare agencies are assisting HCACC, including The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Hawkins requested the organization’s help Wednesday after HCACC officer Wayne Higgins discovered more than 350 animals living on the property during a welfare check.
He went there in response to a barking complaint.
What Higgins discovered, according to HSUS, was jarring. “Hundreds of dogs had been living in their own waste, with fecal matter covering their bodies. Many were suffering from a variety of skin and eye conditions. The puppies were crammed inside a small building with no ventilation,” a news release states. “Donkeys, a horse, bunnies, chickens, ducks, geese, goats, sheep, and an alpaca were also moving around in search of clean water.”
Higgins, Hawkins and other animal control officers worked late into the night and slept in their vehicles Wednesday as they waited on reinforcements to arrive. By Thursday morning, dozens of HSUS staff members, law enforcement officials, and local humane groups joined them and began removing the animals from the property.
It took three days to relocate all of the animals. Their owners have not been identified.
How you can help
News of the rescue went viral as HSUS shared images and video of the operation on its website and social media. Offers of help are streaming in and Hawkins says HCACC can use “a lot” of help right now.
“This is going to be a very, very, very, costly venture for us,” says Hawkins. “If you’ve been to our shelter or are familiar with our animal control [then you know] we are very limited with our resources. So, this is going to be a lot of bedding, a lot of food, and a lot of cages that right now are going to be extremely costly for us.”
READ: Over 300 animals seized near Clarkesville
The local nonprofit Habersham Help is accepting donations on behalf of Habersham County Animal Care and Control. It’s a 501(c)(3) so all donations made through them are tax deductible.
You may also donate financially through the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia or directly to the Habersham County Animal Shelter. The shelter accepts credit card donations online through the county website.
Click here to donate.
Monetary donations and/or supplies may be dropped off at the shelter located at 4231 Toccoa Hwy B, Clarkesville, GA 30523.
Foster homes and adoptions
Hawkins says the seized dogs can’t be fostered at this time because they’re still being processed. She plans to meet with the District Attorney to discuss the legal aspects of the case.
Once legal custody of the animals has been determined and the animals have received needed care, HCACC and HSUS will provide more information on potential foster arrangements and adoptions.
“Hopefully we will have some news on that soon,” Hawkins says. “So, if you are in the market for a new friend from Habersham County Animal Shelter, make sure you stay in contact with us and Now Habersham so that you will be the first to know when these animals go up for adoption.”
With so much attention being focused on the recently rescued animals, Hawkins wants to make sure people don’t forget about the other animals in Habersham that need help.
“We need people to not forget about the animals that are in the shelter now. They still need homes. We still need volunteers. We’re still running the shelter and making sure those animals are cared for, too.”
Other agencies assisting with the rescue operation include the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement, Cornerstone Animal Hospital, Cashiers Highland Humane Society and PAWS Bryson City.
Rescue Bank is providing food for the dogs and dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell of Positively is also assisting in the case.
Updated on 4/16/17 to reflect change in volunteer recruitment
