ASPCA Transports More Than 100 Dogs from Overcrowded Ohio Facility

NEW YORK--The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), with assistance from Sumter DART, is transporting 105 recently rescued dogs to various animal welfare groups throughout the Northeast and Southeast. The dogs were removed over three weeks ago by the ASPCA, at the request of the Clark County Humane Society, from an overcrowded, no-kill animal rescue known as One More Chance Rescue and Adoption in Springfield, Ohio.

Through its Shelter Response Partnership network, the ASPCA was able to quickly establish a transport program with various national and local agencies to provide a second chance for animals rescued from overcrowded facilities and cruel situations.

"We could not do this lifesaving work without our response partners and we're grateful for their collaboration," said Allison Cardona, director of operations for the ASPCA's Field Investigations and Response team. "We are happy to see these dogs leave the temporary shelter and move on toward a better life."

The ASPCA animal transport trailer, a custom-built vehicle, generously donated by the Silberstein Foundation of New York and the Grousbeck Family Foundation of California, will be making several stops throughout the Northeast during the transfer operation. Stops include: Washington Animal Rescue League (Washington, D.C.); Better Days Animal League (Shippensburg, Pa.); Elk County Humane Society (St. Marys, Pa.); Pigs, A Sanctuary (Shepherdstown, W.V.); Ulster County SPCA (Kingston, N.Y.); Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society (Menands, N.Y.); and the final stop at the ASPCA's Adoption Center in New York City.

Sumter DART, based in Bushnell, Fla., is assisting with the remaining transport to rescue groups in the Southeast region. These agencies include Atlanta Humane Society (Atlanta, Ga.), SPCA Tampa Bay (Largo, Fla.), Humane Society of Tampa Bay (Tampa, Fla.), and Bishop Animal Shelter SPCA of Manatee County, Inc. (West Bradenton, Fla.).

On February 22, ASPCA responders helped Clark County Humane Society with the removal of 349 living and 76 dead dogs from One More Chance Rescue and Adoption. The dogs were transferred to a temporary shelter at Franklin County Fairgrounds, where they were triaged by veterinarians from various groups, including Ohio State University, and later evaluated by the ASPCA animal behavior team, led by Dr. Pamela Reid. No charges have been filed against Jeff Burgess, owner and operator of One More Chance Rescue and Adoption.

Nearly 200 dogs have been placed with local rescues since the custody of the animals were awarded to the Clark County Humane Society. The ASPCA is currently working to transfer the remaining dogs at the Franklin County Fairgrounds to animal agencies across the Midwest.