Photos by Aimee Stubbs, ARC
An estimated 150 animals found living in extremely cruel and inhumane conditions were rescued on Sunday from a mass multi-species breeding operation located in Atwood, TN, about two hours west of Nashville.
Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), which assisted the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office in the rescue, noted on its Facebook page that approximately 43 large and medium breed dogs, including puppies, 37 cats, including litters of newborn kittens, 17 rabbits, 10 geese, eight chickens, six ducks, six goats, five sheep, five chinchillas, four ferrets, and two alpacas were found without adequate food or water.
Tragically, several dead animals were also found around the property including a zebra, a cat, a duck, and the remains of rabbits. There were live animals and dead animals in the same cage.
Animals were found running loose and in cages around the property, inside a barn, and in the yet-to-be-named property owner’s house and garage.
The animals were all extremely dirty and suffering from heavy infestations of internal and external parasites, broken bones, extreme matting, eye and ear infections, and respiratory issues caused by the extremely high ammonia levels inside the house and garage which was among the highest ARC has ever recorded. Many of the animals were suffering from malnutrition and no food for the animals was found on the property.
“This is extreme animal cruelty,” said ARC President Scotlund Haisley. “I have never experienced ammonia levels this high. These animals were not living here; they were dying here. The operators of this mass breeding mill chose greed over compassion.”
The planning for this rescue began when ARC received a tip from a concerned citizen and reached out to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department.
Upon serving a search warrant, they found several cruelty code violations and immediately reached out to ARC for assistance with removing and documenting the animals.
“This county takes all cases of abuse and cruelty very seriously,” said Carroll County Sheriff, Andy Dickson, “The law was being violated and these animals desperately needed help, so we didn’t hesitate to take action.”
ARC transported the animals to their Rescue Operations Center in Lebanon, TN. This rescue, dubbed Operation Noah’s Ark is ARC’s third rescue operation in the past two months in Tennessee and Louisiana.
Each animal will receive a thorough veterinary exam, appropriate vaccinations, and any necessary medical treatment. ARC will provide daily care until legal custody of the animals is determined and the animals can be placed with shelter and rescue organizations that will ultimately adopt them into loving homes.
Redemption Road Rescue assisted and will be caring for and placing all of the farm animals and fowl. 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 groups
ARC posted an urgent plea for volunteers to help at the Center. Those interested should email volunteer@animalrescuecorps.org. In the email please include the days and shifts you are available. The shifts are 9:00am to 1:00pm and 1:00pm to 5:00pm daily.
Donations to help support Animal Rescue Corps and this rescue operation can be made HERE!
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