United Animal Nations provides critical sheltering support for rescue mission
(July 8, 2010) – Volunteers with United Animal Nations (UAN) have traveled to Kern County from throughout California to shelter and care for approximately 150 dogs, 18 cats, 10 chickens and several rabbits removed from Chihuahua Rescue in Tehachapi after the organization’s director was evicted from the property and no longer had a facility to house the animals.
UAN is assisting Kern County Animal Control and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) with the removal of the animals from the property, veterinary examinations, and temporary sheltering until the animals can be transported to rescue groups in the region where they will be made available for adoption. The animals have been surrendered to the custody of Kern County Animal Control.
Responders found the dogs, which range from Chihuahuas to border collies, living in a crowded home. Dogs and other animals were also housed in a barn on the property. With so many animals, it was impossible for the owner to give them all adequate personal care.
“Often, well-meaning individuals become overwhelmed with more animals than they can properly care for,” said UAN Emergency Services Manager Janell Matthies. “UAN can step in to provide critical sheltering support in such cases, enabling local authorities to deal with a large influx of animals that would normally overburden them.”
Distinguished by their red shirts, UAN volunteers are specially trained to care for animals at temporary shelters after they have been rescued from cruelty and neglect situations or displaced by natural disasters. UAN has more than 3,000 active, trained volunteers in the United States and Canada, including 400 in California.
Nine UAN volunteers have already traveled to Kern County from as far as Sacramento and San Jose to care for the animals at a temporary shelter set up nearby specifically for this rescue by UAN and HSUS. Eight more UAN volunteers are expected to arrive over the next five days. PetSmart Charities® donated much-needed sheltering supplies for the rescued animals.
In May, UAN joined Kern County Animal Control, HSUS and spcaLA to remove more than 120 cats from the home of a sanctuary operator who had become overwhelmed caring for so many animals.
Founded in 1987, United Animal Nations (UAN) 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 education. Learn more at www.uan.org.
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