The ASPCA, alongside local shelters and law enforcement agencies across multiple states, helped rescue nearly 300 maltreated dogs from multiple operations, including criminal cases, in the past month.

In late February, we responded to an urgent request from the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey to assist with the removal of more than 90 dogs in poor conditions from the property of a self-described animal rescue group. 

Soon after, our responders quickly mobilized to Mississippi to assist Oktibbeha County Humane Society rescue more than 50 dogs living in squalid conditions where they were suffering from medical issues and fighting for limited resources.

While on the ground in Mississippi, we were actively preparing for the rescue of more than 120 dogs—mostly Great Danes—from a breeding operation in Florida at the request of the Union County Sheriff’s Office. 

Through our longstanding partnership with the New York City Police Department, dozens of additional animals were rescued from situations of suspected cruelty over the past 30 days, including 11 dogs and two cats living in filthy conditions in Rockaway, Queens.

“The ASPCA stands ready to assist our local partners across the country when they call on us to help rescue vulnerable animals in their community,” said Matt Bershadker, President & CEO of the ASPCA. “Taking in and providing ongoing medical and behavioral care for a high number of animals can quickly deplete the limited resources of most animal welfare agencies—many already struggling with capacity issues—making it difficult for shelters and law enforcement to respond to situations of animal cruelty and neglect. Through our investigative and field response work, the ASPCA provides a safety net for local agencies by deploying at a moment’s notice to provide boots-on-the-ground assistance to help rescue and care for animals in need.”

As part of its multifaceted efforts to protect animals across the country, we work closely with local law enforcement and animal shelters on suspected animal cruelty investigations and non-criminal rescue operations. We routinely assist local agencies nationwide by providing critical services including investigative and legal support, crime scene processing, animal removal and transport, veterinary and behavior forensic exams, animal sheltering, medical care, behavioral care and enrichment and placement. We also work closely with local shelters and veterinary personnel during rescue operations. Through this collaborative effort, local animal welfare professionals gain insight into specialized expertise utilized during animal cruelty investigations and largescale rescue operations, so they’re better equipped to support their communities in the future. 

Many of the animals rescued from these most recent cases require ongoing medical and behavioral care before they can be adopted into loving homes. We operate several specialized facilities dedicated to the care and recovery of animals rescued from large-scale cruelty situations across the country. Facilities such as our Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Columbus, Ohio, and in some cases temporary field shelters, are needed to provide the expertise, time and space for animals to heal and recover.

The CRC also ensures that regional brick-and-mortar shelters that may not have the capacity to take in a large population of animals are able to focus on their lifesaving work for other animals in their communities while we provide ongoing sheltering, medical and behavioral care for victims of cruelty until disposition is determined by the court. We rely heavily on our strong network of shelter partners nationwide who open their doors to animals rescued from large-scale cases once they’re ready for adoption, ensuring more animals can move on to loving homes.