The Oregon Humane Society today is rescuing more than 40 dogs, many in urgent need of medical care, from a commercial breeder in Goldendale, Wash. The breeder, overwhelmed with the cost and time required to care for so many dogs, is relinquishing the dogs to OHS.

Almost all the dogs being rescued today from breeder Eric David Calvin are shar-peis a breed known for its distinctive wrinkled skin. “We expect to treat many of these dogs for skin and eye infections that are common to this breed. Some infections appear to be extremely advanced and the OHS animal hospital is prepared to provide extensive medical care, including surgery,” said Dr. Kris Otteman, OHS Director of Shelter Medicine. 

A group of seven OHS employees and volunteers are now in the process of transporting the dogs from Goldendale to Portland, a trip of approximately two hours. Many of the dogs have skin and eye infections that appear to have gone untreated for weeks or months. Any evidence pertaining to possible criminal animal neglect will be documented by the OHS rescue team and turned over to the Klickitat County Sheriff, which is responsible for enforcing animal neglect laws in Goldendale. While OHS Humane Officers are authorized to enforce animal laws within the state of Oregon, their jurisdiction does not extend across state lines. OHS was alerted to the condition of the dogs by a local dog rescue group in Washington.

OHS hopes to make as many of the rescued dogs as possible available for adoption on May 10. “Most of the dogs are friendly towards people. We want to offer these dogs for adoption as soon as possible,” said Dr. Otteman. “We are also preparing for the likely possibility, however,” said Dr. Otteman, “that many dogs will require long-term care to recover from infections.”

All costs for rescuing and caring for the dogs will be paid for through private donations to OHS. The public can make online donations to support the rescued dogs at http://ohs.convio.net/goto/OHS_Rescues.

Pet Press news item courtesy the Oregon Humane Society (OHS)
http://www.oregonhumane.org/