Over 65 Animals Rescued During Flash Flood in Danbury, North Carolina
This made my heart sink. Warning, some of the photos are hard to see in this article.
Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national nonprofit animal protection organization, responded to a request from authorities in Stokes County, NC to assist with over 65 animals living in deplorable conditions in and around a single-family residence. This rescue, dubbed Operation Dark Hollow, is ARC’s third rescue operation in North Carolina within the last nine days.
According to a press release, “We take animal neglect very seriously in our community,” said Sheriff Joey Lemons, “and we’re very grateful to have a professional rescue organization support us in getting these animals the care they urgently need.”
Approximately 55 dogs, a horse, and a donkey were running loose and tethered on chains throughout the rural property, about 40 minutes north of Winston-Salem, along with 9 ducks, who were kept in an outdoor dog kennel. Additional animals inside the home will add to this total number. Almost none of the outside animals were provided with any shelter and were exposed to extreme heat and weather. All of the animals were malnourished and many of the dogs exhibited signs of severe matting, mange, fur loss, internal and external parasites, and eye infections.
The rescue comes in advance of the flash flood watch issued for the region, with widespread heavy rains and thunderstorms expected as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida move over the region. “Nothing on this property meets the needs of these animals,” said ARC Executive Director, Tim Woodward. “Their body conditions are poor and they’re suffering from painful matting, mange, and other medical conditions consistent with long-term neglect. I’m relieved we were able to get these animals to safety before the heavy rains came.”
ARC’s other operations this week include responding to animals in need in Baton Rouge, LA in advance of Hurricane Ida and a hoarding case in west Tennessee. All the rescued animals in ARC’s care are at ARC’s Rescue Operations Center in Lebanon, TN, about 30 minutes east of Nashville. Each animal will receive a thorough veterinary exam, appropriate vaccinations, and any necessary medical treatment. ARC will provide daily and medical care as long as necessary.
Once custody is determined, ARC will be matching and transporting the animals to shelter and rescue organizations that will ultimately adopt them into loving homes. For people wishing to foster or adopt, ARC will publish its list of shelter and rescue placement partners on its Facebook page once the animals are transferred to these partner organizations.
Animal Rescue Corps performed this operation in conjunction with Stokes County Sheriff’s Office. Bissell Pet Foundation provided critical financial resources to make this operation possible and the Nashville Humane Association provided volunteers and logistical support. In addition, the BISSELL Pet Foundation is a non-profit pet foundation that provides financial assistance to animal welfare organizations with the goal of reducing the number of animals in shelters and rescues through adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and foster care. For more information about Animal Rescue Corps and to donate, please click here.
