I’m not really sure how to tell this story because many of the details are sketchy at best. The upshot is that the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter ended up with 24 Chihuahuas needing new homes. I’ll start at the beginning, and I apologize in advance for any unanswered questions or confusion.
A couple of weeks ago, a woman walked into the Bridgeton police station asking for help because she had 50 Chihuahuas at her rental house and she was afraid she was going to get evicted. The animal control officer in turn called our Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals investigator, and so the odyssey began …
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When the officers arrived on the property, they were told that some of the dogs were in the house, some had been given away that morning and some might be riding around in a U-Haul truck with an elderly lady. Apparently the dogs had been transported from Georgia within the previous 24 hours. They had lived down there at the house of a man who was moving to the rental property in Bridgeton. When the dogs arrived at the house up here, the legal renter panicked, knowing that she was violating her lease and certainly would be evicted if the landlord found out. The owner of the dogs had gone to work that day and the renter had become desperate to remove the dogs before everybody involved ended up out on the street.
After three hours of waiting for the owner of the dogs to get home and determining what could be done, our investigator decided to impound the dogs until the owner either had a suitable place for them to go or to decide to release them to us. There were 14 dogs in the house at that time; the fate of the others, or even how many others there actually were, was a mystery.
After having no contact from the owner, I called him a few days later to tell him that he had to make a decision. After a long discussion and a lot of emotional upheaval, he decided to release the dogs so that they could be re-homed. At that point, he also mentioned that there were “three or four” others that he might need our help with as well. I told him that this would not be a problem and to please call me as soon as possible to make arrangements for the last few dogs.
A few days later, I receive a call from a concerned person that the owner had rounded up the dogs that initially were given away and that he had 17 living in his vehicle. So, we rounded up the troops, grabbed a bunch of crates and went back out to the property. Sure enough, there in the backyard was an SUV with a bunch of Chihuahuas occupying every seat and compartment in the vehicle.
Due to a shorthanded situation at the shelter that day, I got to get out from behind my desk to go to the property myself. And I can honestly say that, in spite of the ridiculousness of the situation, the dogs were fat and happy, the vehicle was free of urine or feces, and the owner was genuinely distraught about being unable to provide for his pups. It took a little negotiating, but eventually the dogs were released to us except for the oldest four which went to live with family members.
The dogs have been here at the shelter for the past couple of weeks. We had to hold them for two weeks because they had come across state lines without proper vaccines. The holding period is up and we’re now able to start placing them in new homes. They are all a little scared here at the shelter, but I have faith that they just need some TLC and patience. They have been through a horrendous ordeal – taken from their home, shipped here in the back of a U-Haul, separated from their pack, separated from their human companions and now stuck in a shelter for two weeks. There were four tiny pups and a few that were 3 to 4 months old; they will fly out of here. The others are all relatively young, but I worry that everyone will just want the babies. I hope you’ll be motivated to come check them out. They really need a best friend now.
Shelter needs
The South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter in Vineland seeks donations of cat chow (no red dyes), canned cat food (pate style), large dog chews, collars, leashes, paper towels, dryer sheets, white copy paper, and gift cards from grocery and pet supply stores.
Step for a Pet
The 23rd annual Step for a Pet walkathon has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove to raise money for the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter. Walker registration begins at 10 at the beach. Prizes, refreshments and entertainment will round out the morning. Print your registration form online or pick one up from the animal shelter. Spring photos also will be offered, with your pet in front of the beautifully scenic beach/lake/park. Flea/tick preventative, microchipping, and shelter gear also available. The rain date is April 30.
Pets of the week
Manny, Kayla, Dave and Everetteare four of the many very sweet young Chihuahuas available for adoption.
Nala is a great dog. She is a lovely 3-year-old Lab who is housebroken and crate-trained, and she has a very sweet disposition. Nala is well-mannered, walks nicely on a leash, and knows the "sit" and "give paw" commands. She also isgood with other dogs.
Elwood is a sweet 4-year-old Chinese Crested. He is one of the hairless breeds —great for people with allergies, but will need specialcare to keep his skin in good condition.
Buck is a handsome 3-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. He is mostly housebroken, having only occasional accidents. A consistent schedule and crate training should finish up his housebreaking in no time. Buck is good with other dogs and was raised around children.
Stubbs is just a baby boy. This kitten is about 5 months old. Won't you show him what a loving forever home feels like?
Look at Skipper'seyes! This kitten is under a year old and would love to finish growing up in a home of his very own.
August is a gorgeous young cat who is sweetand playful. He needs a home and a family.
Lionel is a sweet, good-looking boy. He doesn't like the shelterand would love for you to give him a home.
Henry is a handsome and sweet young man ready to go to his forever loving home. This cat is at PetSmart in Millville, so come in and meet him.
Van Gogh is such a nice cat. He is a staff favorite! Van Gogh has an old wound to his ear, but it is healed now and he is looking for a new family. Don't over look him because of his ear. He is an awesome cat.
Mika is an awesome cat. She is thriving in foster care but needs her own home. Please consider adopting her.
The Pets of the Week are just a few of the animals awaiting adoption at the CCSPCA.
For information, visit southjerseyregionalanimalshelter.org, send email to adoptions@cumberlandcountyspca.org, call (856) 691-1500 or visit the South Jersey Regional Animal Shelter at 1244 N. Delsea Drive, Vineland.
Bev Greco is executive director of the Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
