AHS’ Medical Emergency Team Assisting Golden Valley Rescue Dogs
Arizona Humane Society supports rescue effort
Upon the arrival of more than 100 dogs from the Olympic Animal Sanctuary (OAS) in Forks, Washington to the Rescued Unwanted Furry Friends Foundation (RUFFF) in Golden Valley, Arizona, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) has deployed a team of six medical and emergency personnel to assist with completing full medical examinations on each of the dogs who are able to be handled.
AHS was first contacted by RedRover, a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that provides emergency sheltering and relief services throughout the country. RedRover has been assisting Guardians of Rescue, a New York-based nonprofit organization who has been coordinating the dogs’ medical and sheltering care in preparation for the animals’ future placement with other rescue organizations.
AHS’ team of six, along with a box truck full of medical supplies and vaccinations, arrived in Golden Valley on January 2 and have currently conducted approximately 40 medical exams. Of those exams, it has been found that many of the dogs are underweight and suffering from muscle atrophy consistent with being malnourished and from a lack of movement. AHS Veterinarian, Dr. Melissa Thompson states the process has been a bit slow moving as many of the dogs have not been handled very frequently. AHS hopes to complete the remainder of those exams later today, but the process could very well lead into tomorrow. AHS is also vaccinating each dog and assisting in the photo identification process.
The dogs arrived at the sanctuary on Christmas Eve via a climate-controlled 53-foot trailer driven by Steve Markwell, the founder of OAS, after he left town following demonstrations from animal rights activists. Since, the animal welfare community in our state and across the country, along with various animal welfare professionals, have come together on behalf of these resilient and deserving dogs.