Twenty-two small dogs are getting a second chance after the Greater Birmingham Humane Society pulled them from a hoarding and neglect situation, with many arriving matted and in need of immediate medical attention. The organization began caring for the animals right away, and it is now asking the public to help cover the cost of their recovery.
According to WBRC, the dogs were surrendered to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, which took over their care immediately. The outlet reported that GBHS responded with its Animal Care & Control and veterinary teams to rescue the 22 small dogs, an account the station attributed to the organization's Facebook page.
Matted Coats and Medical Shave-Downs
Many of the dogs had matted coats so severe that they required medical shave-downs, the station's report notes. Each dog has also received a veterinary exam and vaccinations as part of the intake process, per the same account.
The shelter has said the dogs have a long road ahead of them as they recover from the neglect they endured, and it has asked the public for help, requesting donations to cover the costs of their ongoing care.
Other Alabama Rescues Underscore Scale of the Problem
Hoarding cases involving dozens or even more than a hundred animals have surfaced elsewhere in recent coverage. PEOPLE has reported on a separate Alabama case in which more than 100 dogs were rescued from a hoarding situation and put on the road to recovery with help from shelters. A similarly large-scale rescue unfolded in Missouri, where KSDK reported that more than 100 animals, including horses, dogs, cats, goats and chickens, were removed from a Lawrence County property where officials said they were living in dangerous conditions.
No details about the location of the Birmingham case, the people involved, or any enforcement actions have been released. For now, the focus for the Greater Birmingham Humane Society remains on nursing the 22 dogs back to health, one vet exam and one shave-down at a time.
