Dade County officials express heartfelt gratitude to the many agencies and volunteers who responded to an extensive animal hoarding situation on Tuesday. More than 260 animals were rescued from deplorable conditions, and sadly, deceased animals were also found inside the residence.
The rescue effort began at noon and continued until 2 a.m., with veterinarians and volunteers working tirelessly into the night to ensure every animal received care and evaluation.
Agencies and organizations involved included:
Lead Agency: Georgia Department of Agriculture
Animal Control: Gordon, Murray, Walker, Forsyth, Catoosa, and Cherokee Counties
Local Rescues & Support: Luck’s Rescue, & The Dade County Pet Project.
Sheltering & Vet Support: Trenton-Dade Animal Center (Director Emily Richards & Dr. Jennifer Zarecor)
Veterinary Services:
– Dr. Jennifer Zarecor (Trenton-Dade Animal Center)
– Dr. Vickie Resh (Dade County Animal Hospital)
– Dr. Christine Maddox (The Mountain Hospital for Animals)
Law Enforcement: Trenton City Police & Dade County Sheriff’s Office
“Animal hoarding is a horrendous situation—not only for the animals involved but for the communities affected,” said Dade County Executive Don Townsend. “This is the fifth hoarding case we’ve seen in just two weeks, and by far the most severe. We are incredibly grateful to all the agencies, veterinarians, and volunteers who answered the call and worked tirelessly through the night. Their efforts saved hundreds of animal lives.”
This is an active and ongoing investigation being led by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.