RedRover provides critical sheltering support for massive rescue mission
July 24, 2012 – RedRover, a California-based nonprofit organization, is deploying 26 volunteers from 5 states and Canada to operate a temporary shelter in Montgomery County, Texas, for nearly 300 dogs rescued from deplorable conditions at Spindletop Refuge in Willis, Texas.
Distinguished by their red shirts, RedRover Responders volunteers are specially trained to care for and shelter large numbers of animals after they have been rescued from cruelty and neglect. RedRover Responders volunteers provide the manpower that enables local animal control and law enforcement agencies to respond to large-scale animal cruelty cases.
Ten RedRover Responders volunteers have already traveled from Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Connecticut and Ontario to care for the rescued pit bulls at a temporary shelter. Sixteen more volunteers will arrive later this week. RedRover has nearly 3,000 active volunteers in the United States and Canada, including 254 in Texas, and provides its services free of charge to the community.
“RedRover’s volunteer team is recognized nationally for its ability to give neglected and abused animals loving human contact and quality care during difficult, emergency circumstances,” said RedRover President and CEO Nicole Forsyth. “RedRover’s free emergency sheltering services support local agencies that otherwise might not be able to respond to such large animal cruelty cases due to lack of resources and staff.”
The rescue was set in motion after Montgomery County law enforcement received tips about allegedly cruel conditions and neglected animals at Spindletop Refuge. When rescuers arrived on the property they found pit bulls and pit bull mixes living in tight, stacked crates with little room to move. A veterinarian on the scene determined that many of the dogs suffered from medical ailments such as skin infections and untreated wounds. Several dogs were found dead in what appeared to be a mass grave behind the owner’s home.
RedRover was asked to send volunteers by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which is assisting Montgomery County Animal Control with the handling, transportation and placement of the animals. PetSmart Charities donated food and other much-needed supplies to the rescue efforts.
All of the animals were safely removed and transported to an emergency shelter, where they will be examined by a team of veterinarians and receive any necessary immediate medical care. The HSUS and RedRover will care for the animals until they are placed with rescue groups for adoption.
To support RedRover’s work to provide temporary sheltering for animals rescued from large-scale cruelty situations or displaced by natural disasters, visit their website at www.redrover.org/donate.
A RedRover Responders volunteer training workshop will take place on August 11 in Waco, Texas. To sign up, visit www.redrover.org/responders.
MEDIA CONTACT: LEILI KHALESSI, 916.429.2457 or lkhalessi@redrover.org
Founded in 1987, RedRover focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and humane education. Learn more at www.redrover.org.
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