TAHS to Take in Dogs Displaced by Hurricane Isaac
On Thursday, January 10, the Toledo Area Humane Society received two dogs from the Humane Society of the United States’ (HSUS) Emergency Placement Program. These dogs were displaced following Hurricane Isaac and have since been looking for a shelter or rescue that is able to place them into an adoption program.
According to the HSUS Rescue and Response Team, almost 200 pets needed to be rescued immediately following Hurricane Isaac and another 9 dogs were rescued from a hoarding situation in Texas during the same timeframe. Many of these animals have already been transferred to organizations in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland. The dogs being transferred to TAHS were originally scheduled to be transferred to a rescue group in New Jersey prior to Hurricane Sandy, but that storm left the HSUS scrambling to find additional placement partners for several dogs. The remaining animals are currently in a boarding facility in Pittsburgh awaiting placement partners that can place them in adoption programs.
As an Emergency Placement Partner for the HSUS, the Toledo Area Humane Society was on the list of organizations that the HSUS reached out to for help in finding placement for dogs still in boarding. Two dogs will be arriving at TAHS on Thursday, January 10 between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. along with volunteers from the HSUS. Like most of the dogs still in boarding awaiting placement, both Viktor and Barry are pit bull type dogs.
Many of the dogs rescued by the HSUS Rescue Team were pit bull mixes. As pit bulls have become one of the most over-represented breeds in shelters nationwide, the HSUS has had difficulty finding Emergency Placement Partners that were able to take in these dogs.
The recent social stigma on “bully breed” dogs has made them difficult to adopt in shelters across the country. Almost a year ago Ohio House Bill 14 was signed, ending breed-specific legislation stating that pit bull type dogs were inherently vicious based on their breed in Ohio. The Toledo Area Humane Society has included pit bull type dogs in their adoption program for over two and a half years. “Even though pit bull overpopulation is a problem in our community, as an Emergency Placement Partner, the Toledo Area Humane Society felt it was important to provide assistance, even for just two dogs,” said Dr. Debbie Johnson, the Director of Operations for TAHS. “We’ve taken animals in through the HSUS Emergency Placement Program in the past and we are glad we are able to help them in this situation also.”
The Toledo Area Humane Society is open Tuesday through Friday from 11am – 7pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 6pm. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization they are committed to the welfare of animals by providing temporary shelter and care while seeking permanent homes. Donations from local individuals, corporations and monies generated by fundraisers and earned revenue are a major source of funding for the Toledo Area Humane Society. For any questions please call 419-891-0705 or visit HYPERLINK "http://www.toledoareahumanesociety.org" www.toledoareahumanesociety.org. Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/ToledoHumane
Press Release Contact Name: Cyndi Condit
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: Toledo Area Humane Society
Organization Address: Toledo, OH