Shelter Rescues 26 Dogs Living in Crates in an Apartment After Owner Faces Eviction

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A Colorado Springs animal shelter has disbanded a dog-hoarding situation after a tip-off, retrieving a total of 26 Chihuahuas from a single apartment in the area. The city’s regulations limit the number of pets per residence to just four dogs or cats.

Upon arrival at the home on Sept. 24, officers found the 30 small dogs living in crates in the apartment’s garage. Their owner had just been evicted.

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Most were in good health, according to a statement from the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR). None of the dogs, however, had been spayed or neutered.

“[W]e got a call about 30 Chihuahuas living in one apartment. Their owner was getting evicted and was way over the limit on how many pets are allowed within the city limits,” HSPPR said.

Officers Michon and Johnson responded to the call and contacted the owner of the dogs.

“Our ALE (Animal Law Enforcement) officers helped him see that having this many dogs was not in the best interest of the dogs,” HSPPR said.

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The owner was informed of the reasons—both legal and health-related—that so many of his dogs were being seized. He willingly surrendered 26 of the 30 pups in order to comply with city regulations.

The Chihuahuas were then transferred into the care of HSPPR, where they underwent preliminary veterinary and behavioral evaluations.

The rescue shelter thanked its supporters on social media, crediting them for the resources that enabled the intake of 26 Chihuahuas at short notice, and getting them the help they needed.

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“It looks like most of them are in good shape, medically,” the statement said, adding that some may need dental surgeries or time in the shelter’s behavior modification program, owing to fearfulness.

They said the clinic “will be working overtime” to get all 26 pups spayed and neutered to help prevent overpopulation, after which the healthy dogs will be ready to get placed with loving forever families.

The HSPPR’s Facebook page was overwhelmed with comments from potential adopters, expressing their desire to take one or two of the sweet Chihuahuas from the shelter to free up space for more dogs in need.

Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region in Colorado Springs, Colorado Screenshot/Google Maps

“It’s because of donors like you that we can say ‘yes’ to pets in need, no matter their situation,” HSPPR said.

“Thanks to you, the ALE officers at HSPPR spend every day trying to make our community a safe place for pets and people.”

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region was founded in 1949 and is the largest welfare group for homeless animals in Southern Colorado. An independent nonprofit, HSPPR relies upon generous donations to fund its ongoing work. As HSPPR is an “open-admission” shelter, no animal in need is ever turned away from HSPPR’s doors.

HSPPR spokeswoman Gretchen Pressley, according to The Gazette, said that some of the healthiest dogs could be available for adoption as soon as Oct. 1.

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