The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast is caring for 36 border collies after the dogs were pulled from a hoarding case in Palm City — a rescue the shelter is calling one of the worst it has ever handled.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office arrested Paige O'Donnell this week on felony charges of animal cruelty and improper confinement, according to Sheriff John Budensiek. The dogs, including three puppies, arrived at the shelter in what staff described as dire condition.
"Our shelter received 36 border collies in terrible, terrible condition," said Sarah Fisher, communications manager for the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast. "They're completely matted, covered in feces — as much as into their mouths. It was just terrible."
Many of the dogs are suffering from skin and eye infections, and staff say some pieces of sharp metal and glass were found tangled in their matted fur. Several are being shaved and groomed under mild sedation because of the pain and stress involved.
"We've seen some animals in similar conditions, maybe one or two throughout the years, but never this bad," Fisher said. "I think this is really the worst — and not only that, it's 36 of them."
Staff are still working through medical evaluations for every dog and determining their ages by examining their teeth, a process Fisher said is ongoing. She said some of the dogs are clearly elderly, while three are puppies.
Because of the scope of their medical and emotional needs, the shelter isn't yet projecting when the border collies will be available for adoption. Fisher said many will need foster homes first to recover physically and to get used to basic socialization, since a number of the dogs have had little to no exposure to the outside world.
"A lot of them just really haven't been outside and they don't know the world," Fisher said. "They just need some time to take at someone's loving home."
To help create space and offset the cost of caring for the border collies, the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast is continuing its "Name Your Price" adoption special until further notice. Under the program, adopters can have the standard adoption fee waived or leave a donation of their choosing instead. It applies to any dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig currently available at the shelter — though not yet to the rescued border collies.
"Name Your Price is basically either the adoption fee is waived if someone chooses, or they can just leave the donation of their choice for an adoption donation," Fisher said.
Fisher said the shelter's most urgent need right now is monetary donations to replenish its emergency medical fund, which has been strained by a string of recent hoarding cases.
"Our biggest need right now is monetary donations towards our emergency medical fund," Fisher said. "Since we've been getting hoarding cases in, we've just been going through that fund like crazy."
Fostering or adopting one of the shelter's current animals also helps, she said, even if it's only temporary.
"Just to make space, even if it's temporary, anything will help us out," Fisher said.
To donate to the emergency medical fund, or to learn about adopting or fostering, visit www.hstc1.org.