Dozens of small-breed dogs were seized after officials with the Animal Rescue League of Berks County were tipped off Thursday to an RV crammed with pooches traveling through the Reading area.
During a welfare check, a total of 44 dogs were removed due to unsanitary conditions, the ARL said in a news release Friday.
In a successful interagency coordination with the Pennsylvania SPCA, the ARL was able to transfer 38 of the dogs overnight to PSPCA’s Chester County location, Main Line Animal Rescue, 1149 Pike Springs Road, Chester Springs. The other six immediately went into foster care through the ARL.
All of the dogs were mixed-breed terriers and appeared to be the RV owner’s pets, officials said. An investigation by the ARL’s Department of Animal Protection is ongoing.
The seizure comes as ARL is approaching its capacity for dogs with less than 10 open kennels at its Cumru Township facilities, officials said.
“While the ARL is fully equipped with the skilled personnel, facilities, and industry expertise to respond to cases like this at a moment’s notice,” ARL CEO Ashley Mikulsky said in the release, “these situations are extremely taxing on our shelter and significantly disrupt the delicate system of our day-to-day operations.”
The ARL is grateful to the good Samaritan who alerted officials to the situation and to PSPCA for stepping in to help, she added.
There are a few ways in which the community can help ease the burden the ARL said.
Volunteer: The ARL is at full capacity after bringing in these dogs, taxing an already short staff. If you have time to assist with laundry, cleaning, food preparation, or any other support task for the next few weeks, consider filling out a volunteer application at https://berksarl.org/volunteer/.
Adopt: The ARL and Steve Moyer Subaru will be hosting a sponsored adoption weekend thanks to the Subaru Loves Pets Foundation on Oct. 25. For more information, visit https://berksarl.org/events/ More than 80 animals are available for adoption right now, visit https://berksarl.org/pets/ to check them out. The ARL is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donate: These animals will need vaccines and spay/neuter surgeries, as well as the standard care of food, housing resources, etc. “Our current most-needed item for donation is bath or beach towels,” the ARL said. “Donations can be dropped off any time at our orange donation shed at 58 Kennel Road.”
You can also donate at https://berksarl.org/berksdonates/ or contact [email protected].
Main Line Animal Rescue is also seeking donations, https://mlar.airdriemedia.com/help-with-supplies/. The facility is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for adoptions.
