‘No-Kill’ Policies Slowly Killing Animals

When “no-kill” animal shelters and rescue groups are filled to capacity, which is almost always, they are left with two options: turn away more animals than they take in or warehouse animals, often in substandard, filthy, and severely crowded conditions, for weeks, months, or even years on end. Most, if not all, of the animals who are turned away from such facilities still face untimely deaths—just not at these facilities.

Instead they are cruelly killed by people who don’t want them, are dumped on roadsides and left to die from starvation or being hit by a car, or spend their short lives homeless, unwanted, and producing more litters of animals for whom no homes exist.

The lucky ones are taken to well-run open-admission animal shelters, where they either find a well-screened, permanent home or are painlessly euthanized in the arms of professionally trained, compassionate people. Here are some of the “no-kill” animal shelter failures that made headlines in recent years for making animals suffer a fate far worse than a kind death.

Reports Showing How ‘No-Kill’ Policies Harmed Animals in March 2024

Lake County, Florida

WESH.com reported that a publicly funded self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as the Lake County Animal Shelter was crowded and warehousing animals. According to the report, the facility had “seventy percent more” dogs than it had space in which to house them humanely. One dog was warehoused there for more than 1,000 days. A spokesperson for the facility said the reason for the severe crowding wasn’t that more animals were coming in but that animals were being warehoused for the long term in cages.

Indianapolis, Indiana

IndyStar.com reported that a former employee alleged that a facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as IndyHumane had released dangerous dogs, including a dog who “was adopted three times. The first time he bit the owner’s hand and was returned. The second time he attacked the owner’s cat and was returned. The third time he bit a child’s face and was sent back and then euthanized.” Another adopted dog allegedly “attacked and killed an adopter’s dog.” The former employee said of the facility’s staff, “They will tell owners [he or she is] a dog-friendly pet just to get rid of [the animal].”

Belton, South Carolina

FOXCarolina.com reported that authorities had seized 37 dogs from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Soft Landings Road to Rescue “after receiving a tip that dogs were living in deplorable conditions.” It was later reported that Sandra Hayes had been “charged with 37 counts of felony ill-treatment of animals” in connection with the case. Authorities reportedly said that she was also known as “Sandy Jones” and had turned herself in. No additional information was available.

Midland, Texas

CBS7.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Midland Animal Services was refusing to accept dogs because of an outbreak of canine distemper. (See the April 2023, Midland, Texas, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Forth Worth, Texas

CommunityImpact.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Fort Worth Animal Care & Control Department had implemented a “managed intake” policy that requires residents to be placed on waiting lists for at least two weeks when they need to turn in animals they’re unable or unwilling to care for. A spokesperson for the facility said the change had been made to increase “live-release rates.” (See the February 2019, Fort Worth, Texas, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Phoenix, Arizona

AZCentral.com reported that a 3-year-old dog had been found dead in a kennel at a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Maricopa County Animal Care & Control. According to the report, testing showed that the dog had been suffering from “Streptococcus zooepidemicus—also known as Strep zoo.” The facility was refusing to accept dogs from residents and asked them to house stray dogs in their own homes. (See the December 2023, Phoenix, Arizona, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Athens, Georgia

WGAURadio.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Athens-Clarke County Animal Services was refusing to accept dogs from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them because “of canine parvovirus and space constraints.” (See the October 2023, Athens, Georgia, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Greene County, Missouri

KY3.com reported that a dog who was being fostered for a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as 4 The Love of K9s had viciously attacked an 8-year-old girl who was walking home from a school bus stop. The child was taken by ambulance to a hospital, and the dog was impounded and euthanized. A spokesperson for the “rescue” said that the dog had attacked another animal in a previous foster home.

Warren, Michigan

FOX2Detroit.com reported that a 5-year-old dog had been warehoused for more than three years at a self-professed “no-kill” animal “rescue” doing business as I Heart Dogs Rescue and Animal Haven. A spokesperson for the group said that he’d been transferred to it from another facility and couldn’t be placed in a home with other animals.

Austin, Texas

KXAN.com reported that a publicly funded self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as Austin Animal Center was housing more dogs than it had space for. A spokesperson for the facility said it had “zero open kennels for any incoming dogs, including emergencies,” and was expecting 12 dogs to arrive who’d been seized by authorities in a cruelty-to-animals case. (See the January 2024, Austin, Texas, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Pittsboro, North Carolina

CBS17.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Animal Resource Center was refusing to accept animals because of an outbreak of an unspecified respiratory disease. No additional information was available.

Sevierville, Tennessee

WVLT.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as the Sevier Animal Care Center claimed that it was “full” and was refusing to accept animals. According to the report, officials said that dogs were being kept “in outside runs and temporary pop-up crates throughout the building” and that puppies were being kept in a visiting room.

Batavia, Ohio

USAToday.com reported that an 8-year-old dog had been warehoused for nearly three years at a self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as League for Animal Welfare. According to the report, a public post by the group said that when the dog had been admitted to the facility, he’d been “painfully afraid of everything around him” because he’d been “seized from another rescue authorities shut down for cruelty and neglect.”

Lake Country, British Columbia, Canada

InfoTel.ca reported that authorities had seized “85 animals including rabbits, cats and wildlife,” from a self-professed animal “sanctuary” doing business as Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary after “officers found a number of animals in distress when they responded to a [complaint] about the animals in the sanctuary’s care.” According to the report, “Several additional animals were surrendered to [authorities] in critical distress and had to be euthanized. A dozen more were taken directly to [a] veterinarian for euthanasia.” Cruelty-to-animals charges were being recommended in the case.

San Antonio, Texas

SanAntonioReport.org reported that an audit of a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) found that “ACS hasn’t been able to ensure that the animals they release [to self-professed animal “rescue” groups] are getting spayed or neutered.” The audit found that ACS also hadn’t been inspecting the groups’ facilities. Officials were reviewing the audit report and considering corrective action. (See the April 2022, San Antonio, Texas, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Yakima, Washington

BigCountryNewsConnection.com reported that a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Acts of Kindness Animal Rescue “was, and still is, under investigation” by the sheriff’s department “for animal neglect involving the unsafe and unsanitary housing of several dogs at the location.” No additional information was available.

Hollister, California

ABC7News.com reported that authorities had seized “200 cats with extreme medical conditions and 13 dogs” from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as SBC Pet-A-Palooza Rescue Inc. after they were found suffering “in deplorable conditions without food or water and housed with built up feces.” BenitoLink.com reported that “rescue” owners Richard Lopez and Susie Alarcon had been arrested on cruelty-to-animals charges. A first responder reportedly “said the animals were housed inside different rooms in the house, in the back yard and in a shed on the driveway.” ABC7News.com shared a later report that revealed, “Now with a revised count—police say 13 dogs, 65 live cats and 31 deceased cats were recovered from inside this home.” According to the report, “The San Benito County District Attorney’s Office is waiting for the complete report before information of arraignment is released.”

Fayetteville, North Carolina

AOL.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as the Cumberland County Animal Services Department was refusing to accept most dogs because of an outbreak of canine parvovirus. According to the report, residents who found stray dogs were being told “to post on social media” instead of taking animals to the public shelter.

Lima, Ohio

WLWT.com reported that an 8-year-old dog had been warehoused for more than five years at a facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as the Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty.

Georgetown, Texas

GABNewsOnline.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as the Saint Frances Animal Center claimed that it was “full” and was refusing to accept dogs from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them.

Syracuse, New York

WAER.org reported that a spokesperson for the city police department’s dog control and cruelty-to-animals units said there was “a waiting list of 50 people who say they’ve taken in a stray dog but don’t want to keep them” at the city’s contracted animal sheltering facility. The city reportedly contracts with a facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter in Jamestown, New York, which was described as “crowded.”

Boaz, Alabama

MiamiHerald.com reported that a 13-year-old dog had been warehoused for 11 years at a facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Second Chance Shelter. According to the report, the facility said that the dog was “too scared” to be touched.

Rowland Heights, California

OCRegister.com reported that a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Woofy Acres Inc. had allegedly abandoned 32 dogs at a boarding kennel. According to the report, some of the dogs had been kenneled “there for two years, but Woofy Acres of Porter Ranch stopped paying for their board and care in October.” A local resident reportedly secured public records showing that 15 of the 32 dogs had been given to Woofy Acres by a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Orange County Animal Care “while the others came from shelters around Southern California.” An employee at the boarding kennel said it “has been unable to reach Woofy Acres President Dianne Bedford for months. Meanwhile, the costs continue to mount, with the rescue now owing $40,000 to the kennel.”

Inhumane, Dangerous Results of ‘No-Kill’ Policies That Made Headlines in February 2024

Las Vegas, Nevada

8NewsNow.com reported that 164 dogs were exhibiting symptoms of canine influenza and that 17 had tested positive for the virus at a facility with “no-kill” policies partially funded with public monies and doing business as The Animal Foundation. (See the October 2023, Las Vegas, Nevada, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Dixon, Kentucky

The-Messenger.com reported that a publicly funded self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as Webster County Animal Care and Control claimed that it was “full” and was refusing to accept animals from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them. According to the report, approximately 100 animals were being turned away each year. The facility was also housing more than one dog, “both inside and outside,” in kennels designed to comfortably hold only one animal.

Henderson, Nevada

News3LV.com reported that a publicly funded self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as Henderson Animal Care and Control Shelter was refusing to accept animals because of an outbreak of canine influenza. (See the December 2023, Henderson, Nevada, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Vernon Township, New Jersey

DailyVoice.com reported that authorities had seized more than 90 dogs from the operators of a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Angels for Animals Network, where they were found “living in a filthy home amongst their own feces and urine and exposed to high levels of ammonia.” Two animals were found dead on the property. A news release by a nonprofit that assisted with the seizure reportedly said, “Some of the animals had dirty, severely matted coats, including one dog who was found with nails matted into their fur. … Some dogs were underweight and had untreated medical conditions including eye infections and injuries. Several dogs were living in cars.” Gizela Juric and Ronald Colgan were reportedly charged with six counts of cruelty to animals, and additional charges were expected to be pursued.

Horry County, South Carolina

WPDE.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Horry County Animal Care Center was refusing to accept animals because of “an illness among their cat and dog population.” According to the report, county officials had “declined” to answer any questions about the turn-away policy. (See the July 2021, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Beekmantown, New York

PressRepublican.com reported that authorities had seized 49 dogs from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as A Canine Gem after they were found “crammed into small cages with bare cement floors, causing many to have injuries and issues to their paws. Many of the dogs appeared malnourished as well,” according to the county sheriff, who said “most, if not all, were under fed, some severely under fed, a couple of them that couldn’t even stand up.” At a news conference, the sheriff said that the case was “very sad” and that “to have them just boxed up in a cage, stuffed in there like that and treated that way is just not acceptable.” “Rescue” owner Hilary Davis “could be facing numerous charges,” according to the report. The investigation was ongoing.

Atascosa County, Texas

KENS5.com reported that in January authorities had seized 29 dogs from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Lucky Paws 4A Purpose after they were found in deplorable conditions. “Rescue” operator Patricia Stone was charged with 27 counts of cruelty to animals and had turned herself in to authorities. A spokesperson for the county’s animal control department said the case was “one of the worst that we as an agency have worked so far since we’ve opened up in 2018.” A court date had evidently been set in the case against Stone.

Stafford, Virginia

NorthernVirginiaMag.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Stafford County Animal Shelter claimed that it was “full” and was refusing to accept dogs from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them.

Van Wert, Ohio

FOX2Now.com reported that a dog had been warehoused for eight years at a facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Van Wert County Humane Society. According to the report, over the years she’d evidently been aggressive and had been kept isolated.

Grass Valley, California

ABC10.com reported that Linda Vaccarezza, the owner and operator of a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Pitty-Pop Pitbull Rescue had been found guilty of cruelty to animals and illegally operating a kennel “as a result of a two-year investigation by law enforcement.” During the investigation, animal control officers had seized 35 dogs and 11 chickens, according to a media release posted by the sheriff’s department. A spokesperson for the department said that a puppy found at the “rescue” had infected sores on his body and was “lethargic, emaciated and unable to walk. The puppy’s red blanket in the cage was soaking wet, saturated with what appeared to be urine.” Deputies said that several of the animals seized “appeared ill, malnourished, injured” and that “many were living in unsanitary conditions.” A sentencing hearing was scheduled in the case against Vaccarezza.

Duplin County, North Carolina

WCTI12.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Duplin County Animal Services was shutting down for at least three weeks because of an outbreak of canine parvovirus.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

NWAHomepage.com reported that authorities had seized 34 cats and a dog from a woman, Morgan McDonald, who said that she’d “inherited a ‘feral cat rescue’ in Oct. 2023.” Responding to a complaint, police officers reportedly found cats who “looked malnourished, had trouble walking and had mucus around their noses and eyes.” They returned with a warrant and found some cats confined to cages without food or water and cats with upper respiratory infections and “FIV, the feline version of HIV.” MacDonald was reportedly “arrested on 18 counts of aggravated cruelty to dog, cat or horse and 17 counts of cruelty to animals.”

New York, New York

FOX5NY.com reported that a publicly funded sheltering system operated by a company with “no-kill” policies doing business as Animal Care Centers of NYC claimed that it was “full” and had stopped accepting dogs from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them. A spokesperson for the group said that it was “seeing a lot of people surrendering many stray dogs in particular.” (See the October 2023, New York, New York, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Los Angeles County, California

CBSNews.com reported that authorities had seized 143 animals from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Compton Animal Rescue, which had reportedly been operating illegally. According to the report, authorities served three search warrants at the “rescue” in January, resulting in the seizure of animals, including “dogs, some cats, chickens, a rooster, tortoise, turtles, pigs, snakes, a horse, hamster, rabbits, a hawk and lizards.” Authorities reported that “13 animals were found dead at the time of the raid, and a number of the animals were too sick to save and ultimately had to be humanely euthanized.” No additional information was available.

St. George, Utah

StGeorgeUtah.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as St. George Animal Shelter had announced that it was turning away animals and had “a growing waiting list” for residents to turn in animals they were unable or unwilling to care for.

Frederick, Maryland

FrederickNewsPost.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as the Frederick County Division of Animal Control was only accepting animals by appointment from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them. According to the report, appointments were backed up for weeks.

Ocala, Florida

Ocala-News.com reported that authorities had seized 53 dogs from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as No BS Sanctuary Inc. after they were found in horrific conditions. One dead dog was also found. According to the report, authorities said that “most of the dogs were confined to crates and had their own waste caked to their fur. In addition, some of the dogs were thin and had ‘considerable dental issues.’” An emergency petition that had been filed by the county attorney to gain custody of the animals was granted. It reportedly enjoined No BS Sanctuary Inc. and its owner, Matthew Keel, “meaning he is unable to legally own any animals without first seeking permission from the court as an individual or a corporation.” It wasn’t reported whether charges were being considered. WCJB.com reported that respirators were needed by first responders to the property because of the high ammonia levels in the structure. A neighbor said that she’d “been trying to get the dogs out of his house for four and a half years. ‘And you can hear all the dogs in there, barking at all hours of the day and night. You can hear them killing each other. In fact, how I met [Keel] was he shot one of his dogs when I first moved in here and he came out and was covered in blood.’”

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Sun-Sentinel.com reported that an arbitrator had awarded $132,000 to a woman who had sustained injuries when she was attacked by a dog who’d been released to an animal adoption group by a public animal shelter with “no-kill” policies doing business as Broward County Animal Care. According to the report, when the woman took the dog home to foster for the adoption group, he “attacked [the woman], biting her hands and calf, resulting in gashes, 50 stitches and a wrist surgery, according to court filings.” The arbitrator reportedly found that the county facility had “breached its duty to warn/disclose by failing to make clear that [the dog] was (or should have been) a ‘behavior release’ due to ‘unpredictable behavior and possible aggression,’ noting documented cases of attempting to bite at a handler, lunging at a handler twice, and where staff finally no longer felt comfortable walking him.” (See the September 2022, Broward County, Florida, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Cochise County, Arizona

AZCentral.com reported that authorities had seized 24 animals, “including five who were dead and several [who] required medical attention” from a home being used as a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Zoey’s Ranch. “Rescue” owner Jill Houchens was reportedly “arrested … on suspicion of 146 charges of animal cruelty and neglect.” According to the report, when authorities served a warrant at the property, “they found several neglected animals living in poor conditions …. Officials said areas where animals were kept were filled with feces and there was no clean area for the animals to stand. There was also little to no water left out and no food available.” A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said that Houchens “runs her own ‘rescue’” and “pulls from Sierra Vista Shelter.” The investigation was ongoing.

DeKalb County, Georgia

11Alive.com reported that a publicly funded facility doing business as DeKalb County Animal Services, operating through a contract with a self-professed “no-kill” group doing business as LifeLine Animal Project, was warehousing more than 500 dogs and that each animal was only “walked every five to seven days.” (See the January 2024, Youngsville, North Carolina, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Santa Rosa, California

PressDemocrat.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Sonoma County Animal Services had 180 dogs crammed into a space designed to humanely house 118. According to the report, some dogs were confined to wire crates and kennels designed to house one dog had been divided to house more. A spokesperson for the facility said that it was refusing to accept animals from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them.

Tyler, Texas

KETK.com reported that a facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as SPCA of East Texas claimed that it was “full” and was refusing to accept any animals.

Manning, South Carolina

TheItem.com reported that a 12-year-old cat had been warehoused for nearly three years at a self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as A Second Chance Animal Shelter.

Loveland, Colorado

Denver7.com reported that authorities had seized approximately 80 dogs from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Just 4 Jacks Ranch & Sanctuary, which had allegedly been operating without a license and had been served an eviction notice. According to authorities, “rescue” owner Drew Renkewitz had applied for a license but failed the state’s pre-license inspection and was ultimately denied a license to operate. He reportedly said that the dogs he’d collected on the unlicensed property “all came from shelters and rescues, as well as abuse situations.”

Wake County, North Carolina

CBS17.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Wake County Animal Services had announced that residents who needed to surrender animals for whom they were unable or unwilling to care could only do so with an appointment. According to the facility’s director, “the wait to give up a dog could be 6 or 7 weeks.” (See the January 2024, Wake County, North Carolina, entry below for more details about this facility.)

January 2024 Reports Showing That ‘No-Kill’ Policies Endanger Animals

Andover, Minnesota

Patch.com reported that authorities had charged the owner of a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as For Furever Animal Rescue with 22 counts of cruelty to animals. According to the report, “Carley Mackenzie Ryan was charged Monday following a months-long investigation. The charges include counts of felony animal torture and misdemeanor unwholesome enclosure.” Dogs seized by authorities in October 2023 (See the October 2023, Andover, Minnesota, entry below for more information) reportedly included a Great Dane who had difficulty walking because of severe urine and fecal scald, “which caused swelling of all four feet,” and an Australian cattle dog who was described as “both urine and fecal incontinent and despite that was housed in a crate that was inadequate in size with another dog.” The cattle dog “had alopecia and wounds to the inside of both rear legs where the skin was red, ulcerated, and painful from urine and fecal scald. [A veterinary] exam also noted harsh lung sounds suggesting scarring of lungs due to poor air quality in the living conditions in which he was found.” Another dog also had difficulty walking because of scalded, “swollen feet and extremely overgrown toenails.” TwinCities.com reported that of the 22 dogs seized by authorities in October 2023, eight were in such bad shape that they had to be euthanized. The remainder had since been adopted.

Corpus Christi, Texas

KIIITV.com reported that a spokesperson for a self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as the Gulf Coast Humane Society said that it had “a six to eight week waiting list” to accept animals from area residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them. She also recommended that people leave lost or homeless animals on the street instead of taking them to an animal shelter so that the shelters could “focus” on their adoption statistics.

St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

WDSU.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as the St. Tammany Parish Department of Animal Services claimed that it was “over capacity and unable to help” additional animals. According to the report, after 28 animals were seized by authorities, “The shelter said they have no room to host them and already turned a conference room into a kennel room.” No additional information was available.

Peyton, Colorado

FOX21News.com reported that the founder of a self-professed animal “sanctuary” doing business as OutPaws’ Sweet Home Sanctuary said that a baby goat had been found “dead in her stall” after a cold snap. According to the report, the group’s operator said that she believes the animal was smothered to death while several goats were trying to survive freezing temperatures at the facility.

Austin, Texas

News.Yahoo.com reported that a self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as Austin Pets Alive! was keeping approximately 230 dogs and 30 cats in outdoor cages. According to the report, freezing temperatures were expected in the area.

Dubuque, Iowa

TelegraphHerald.com reported that a self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as Dubuque Regional Humane Society said that it had 60 more cats “than the shelter has kennel space for.” A spokesperson for the facility reportedly said, “We have cats in crates in the hall because we don’t have anywhere else to put them.”

Youngsville, North Carolina

WRAL.com reported that authorities had arrested Anne-Marie Green, the owner of a boarding kennel doing business as Green Meadow Kennels, and charged her with cruelty to animals. According to the report, court documents indicated that she had been “accused of intentionally tormenting and depriving more than 20 medium- to large-sized dogs of necessary sustenance.” Authorities had reportedly received a complaint from two individuals who alleged that a dog had died at the facility, which “was under scrutiny by the North Carolina Agriculture Department for operating unlicensed.” Dogs who had been handed over to a self-professed animal “rescue” in South Carolina doing business as Arcadia Animal Rescue by an animal shelter in Georgia had been sent to Green’s kennel in North Carolina, according to volunteers with the South Carolina group. A spokesperson for the group reportedly said that it had “agreed to allow Green to start pulling dogs from an Atlanta shelter under the rescue.” The Georgia facility releasing the dogs was evidently a publicly funded facility doing business as DeKalb County Animal Services, operating through a contract with a self-professed “no-kill” group doing business as LifeLine Animal Project. (See the September 2023, DeKalb County, Georgia, entry below for more information about this facility.) A court date had been set in the case against Green.

Grovetown, Georgia

LawAndCrime.com reported that authorities who were responding to a call requesting a welfare check at a residence found “14 dead dogs in a feces-covered home.” After one surviving, emaciated dog was rescued and removed for care by animal control authorities, sheriff’s deputies found the bodies of the other animals: “Three dogs were found dead in the bedroom, three were in the refrigerator and one was in the freezer. There were also seven dead puppies throughout the house. All the dogs were in various states of decomposition,” according to the report. Homeowner, Margaret Nevils was tracked down at her workplace and charged with cruelty to animals. According to the report, she “told investigators she was running an adoption and dog rescue service.”

Liberty, Kentucky

WHAS11.com reported that authorities had seized 44 dogs from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Everything’s Going to Be Alright Rescue & Rehabilitation after they were found in conditions described by investigators as “deplorable.” According to a nonprofit that assisted with the seizure, freezing temperatures and high ammonia levels hindered rescue efforts. Three dogs were reportedly found dead at the property, “two of whom were frozen solid.” According to a spokesperson for the nonprofit that helped with the rescue, “Many of the dogs exhibit[ed] signs of obvious and chronic neglect including eye injuries, fur loss, internal and external parasites, anemia, gastrointestinal issues, bite wounds, and matting. Some of the dogs [were] emaciated and the majority of the dogs [were] underweight.” It wasn’t reported whether charges were being considered.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

KRQE.com reported that a facility with “no-kill” policies partially funded with public monies and doing business as Santa Fe Animal Shelter was refusing to accept dogs because of an outbreak of “Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD), also known as kennel cough or dog flu.” According to the report, “The City of Santa Fe Animal Services [and] Santa Fe County Animal Control Services w[ere] also limit[ing] their public services.”

Castle Rock, Colorado

Denver7.com reported that state authorities had “filed charges … with the Office of Administrative Courts” alleging that a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Douglas County Canine Rescue had “failed to provide timely veterinary care to dogs, falsified records and operated without a proper license.” Court documents reportedly said that after authorities had received a complaint alleging that “rescue” owner Rebecca Waldrop “was unlawfully housing 20 to 30 dogs in her basement, inspectors executed a search warrant … and found 23 dogs, according to the documents. Waldrop is not licensed to operate [an] animal shelter or any other … animal care facility out of her home.” A foster home operator for the group also allegedly “had approximately 31 dogs in her home. The court documents also claimed several of the dogs did not receive proper veterinary care until days after injuries. A 10-week-old puppy allegedly broke his leg on Aug. 6, 2023 and did not receive veterinary care until Aug. 16.” Waldrop was issued “a notice to appear in the Office of Administrative Courts.”

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

NorthJersey.com reported that a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Treasure Fur-Ever Animal Rescue had to involve authorities to secure the return of three kittens the group had given to a woman to be fostered after she refused to return them. The animals had reportedly been imported from a facility in North Carolina. The New Jersey group also reportedly learned that the fosterer to whom the kittens were given was “living with a woman named Julie Alaimo, who was brought up on 23 counts of animal cruelty in November 2022 after 21 cats and two dogs were rescued from her home by Fair Lawn police.” Authorities returned the animals to the New Jersey group.

Youngstown, Ohio

WKYC.com reported that a dog had been warehoused for six years at a facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Animal Charity of Ohio. According to the report, the facility said that the 7-year-old dog would have “to be in a home without other animals” and that it was giving him away for free.

Colonie, New York

CBS6Albany.com reported that authorities had seized more than 100 animals from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Empawthy Animal Rescue Inc. after they were found in “extreme conditions of filth and crowding.” According to the report, authorities found “102 live animals, including 47 dogs, 52 cats and three ferrets” as well as 15 dead cats and a dead rabbit. “Rescue” operator Jennifer Uhl was reportedly arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. News10.com reported that a humane officer said that animals had been found “stacked in crates on top of each other. Inside those crates, they were confined with their own waste and feces. There was a very strong odor of ammonia in the air.” MyRGV.com reported that a self-professed “no-kill” facility in Texas that had been partially funded with public monies and was doing business as the Rio Grande Valley Humane Society (RGVHS) had recently “sent more than 50 dogs and cats” to the New York group. Harlingen, Texas, Mayor Norma Sepulveda said, “[S]hortly before the raid, RGVHS posted on social media praising the partnership and crediting Empawthy with transporting a ‘combined number of 48 dogs and 11 cats’ to ‘loving new homes. … We have since learned that during the Empawthy raid 16 animals were found dead in a freezer and another 47 dogs and 52 cats were removed. It begs the question, ‘How many of those animals were Harlingen animals that were supposedly transported to loving homes?’” (See the December, 2023, Harlingen, Texas, entry below for more information about RGVHS.)

Hudson, Florida

WFLA.com reported that authorities had charged Brenda Hoch, the president of a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as Florida Skunk Rescue, with eight counts of “animal neglect” after a search of the property found ill and injured animals in conditions “described as ‘deplorable’” by an investigator. According to the report, the “rescue” claimed to take in and find homes for “domesticated skunks who’s [sic] owners could not care for them.” It went on to reveal that “Hoch’s home, which served as the headquarters for the rescue … was inspected [by investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission] on August 15, 2023, after multiple attempted inspections. Hoch was found to be in possession of at least 18 skunks.” It was also revealed that an incident “report said some of the skunks in Hoch’s care were kept in small cages and forced to stand in their own feces and urine. It also claimed Hoch was ‘unable and unwilling’ to provide proper food, water, or care. The report also says the smell inside the home was ‘nauseating.’ The investigation revealed seven skunks were underweight, two were overweight, and ten had overgrown nails, among other problems. According to the report, Hoch was ‘verbally combative’ during the investigation, and had an excuse for not cleaning, not providing water and other requirements the law demands.” No additional information was available.

Brooksville, Florida

HernandoCounty.us reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Hernando County Animal Services was refusing to accept most dogs because of an outbreak of suspected canine pneumovirus. According to the report, “22 dogs [were] showing signs of upper respiratory infection consistent with Pneumovirus. So far laboratory testing has confirmed one case of Pneumovirus.” The facility had also stopped providing sterilization surgeries because of the outbreak.

Casper, Wyoming

OilCity.news reported that because of an outbreak of parvovirus, a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Metro Animal Services had stopped accepting dogs from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them.

Austin, Texas

KXAN.com reported that a woman who had been mauled by a dog released by a publicly funded self-professed “no-kill” facility doing business as Austin Animal Center (AAC) was “pushing for a resolution that … could limit the taxpayer-funded shelter’s ability to release dangerous dogs into the community.” According to the report, the woman said she’d been volunteering at an animal adoption group that had acquired the dog from AAC, where records evidently showed that he had a history of biting, when the dog attacked her. She said, “I was basically scalped. The initial tear caused a flap of two by three inches … down to the skull. And then the two to three other bites, there were sections of my scalp that were pulled away from my skull, there were gashes, there were punctures.” A city council member reportedly said, “We are seeing the number of serious bites from animals in Austin … they’ve climbed significantly over the last few years.” (See the September 2023, Austin, Texas, entry below for more details about this facility.)

Chambers County, Alabama

ValleyTimes-News.com reported that a facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as the Chattahoochee Humane Society had “filed a complaint against a sheriff’s deputy for allegedly forcing them to accept three owner-surrender dogs,” when the facility claimed that it was “full.” The deputy had responded to a complaint from a woman who’d been turned away from the facility with three dogs who had strayed onto her farm. A spokesperson for the facility reportedly said that it requires appointments to accept animals but admitted that it holds contracts with area communities that require it to accept animals.

Wake County, North Carolina

NewsObserver.com reported that a publicly funded facility with “no-kill” policies doing business as Wake County Animal Services had announced that it would permanently refuse to accept animals from residents who were unable or unwilling to care for them. According to the report, “The ban on owner surrenders applies to all animals.” (See the November 2023, Wake County, North Carolina, entry below for more information about this facility.)

Tyrone Township, Michigan

LivingstonDaily.com reported that authorities had seized dozens of animals from a self-professed animal “rescue” doing business as The Devoted Barn. According to the report, sheriff’s “deputies seized and relocated 64 animals, including sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, and an alpaca.” Animal control officials had reportedly “received multiple welfare complaints” about the facility. “It’s not the first time [‘rescue’ operator Melissa Borden] and the rescue have come under fire. The rescue was also involved in legal battles with townships in Oakland and Monroe counties, among other suits, and has had to relocate in the past. In Rose Township, the rescue allegedly operated a dog kennel without a special land use permit, according to an opinion from the Michigan Court of Appeals, which affirmed a circuit court ruling in favor of the township.” The investigation was ongoing.

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