ASPCA Places Dogs Surrendered by Florida Rescue Group in 14 States Across U.S.

New York, N.Y.—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) has begun transporting dogs to various animal welfare agencies in 14 states following the removal of the animals back in October from Sabbath Memorial Dog Rescue Center (SMDRC), a self-described no-kill rescue group in Okeechobee, Fla.

SMDRC surrendered the dogs to the ASPCA after a lack of sufficient resources and proper care led to the deterioration of the center and conditions of the dogs. Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response said, “This was a case where the no-kill shelter operator set out to save animals at risk of euthanasia, but did not have the capacity to meet their physical and mental needs or implement an effective adoption program. It’s an unfortunate but not uncommon scenario.”

After receiving months of medical care and behavioral enrichment from the ASPCA at a temporary shelter, the dogs are now ready for new homes. The dogs will be delivered via the ASPCA’s transport vehicle to the following animal shelters and rescue groups throughout the month of January:

• Animal Humane Society, Golden Valley, Minn.
• Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Arlington, Va.
• Atlanta Humane Society, Alpharetta, Ga.
• Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association, Homestead, Fla.
• Cedar Bend Humane Society, Waterloo, Iowa
• Humane Society of Pinellas, Clearwater, Fla.
• Kansas Humane Society, Wichita, Kan.
• Larimer Humane Society, Fort Collins, Colo.
• McKamey Animal Center, Chattanooga, Tenn.
• Monadnock Humane Society, Swanzey, N.H.
• MSPCA Cape Cod, Centerville, Mass.
• Providence Animal Rescue League, Providence, R.I.
• Second Chance Rescue, New York, N.Y.
• Texas Humane Heroes, Leander, Texas
• Wayside Waifs, Kansas City, Mo.

The above shelters and rescue groups will care for the dogs until they are ready to be made available for adoption.

“We are so thankful to all the shelters who have agreed to help find homes for these dogs, some of whom are traveling more than 1,600 miles for the chance to be adopted,” said Jessica Rushin, senior partnerships manager, ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “We urge the local communities to open their hearts and homes to these dogs. They’ve had a hard start in life and have never known what it’s like to be someone’s pet.”

Agencies that assisted the ASPCA’s sheltering operation include: Cat Depot (Sarasota, Fla.); Florida Disaster Animal Response and Transport (Bushnell, Fla.); Margaret B. Mitchell Spay/Neuter Clinic (Bristol, Va.); MSPCA-Angell (Boston, Mass.); Nebraska Humane Society (Omaha, Neb.); and Washington State Animal Response Team (Enumclaw, Wash.).

PetSmart Charities^® provided supplies, including pet crates and food to support the sheltering operation.

ASPCA responders remove one of dozens of dogs from Sabbath Memorial Dog Rescue Center in Okeechobee, Fla. who will be transported and made available for adoption with Second Chance Rescue in New York, N.Y.