On September 5, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) rescued 14 emaciated dogs abandoned at a VRBO rental home. The organization is currently seeking foster families to help care for the dogs during their recovery process.
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AHS cruelty investigators received a report about multiple dogs left behind in the rental property after their owner checked out. The dogs were found suffering from severe neglect, described as sick and matted, living in what the AHS deemed "horrific" conditions. Tragically, three puppies were discovered dead in a freezer.
Upon arrival, the rescue team rushed the dogs to the AHS’s Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital. There, veterinary assessments revealed that the dogs were malnourished and severely matted with urine and feces. Two of the dogs were in irreversible organ failure and had to be humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering. Of the 12 surviving dogs, which range in age from 3 months to 5 years, approximately half are already recovering in foster homes, while six others will need fosters once they are medically cleared.
This incident is part of a larger trend, as AHS's Animal Rescue and Cruelty Team is currently addressing over a dozen active hoarding cases. In recent weeks, they have rescued nearly 300 pets from similar situations. AHS responds to an average of 20 hoarding cases each month, typically involving 10 or more pets in one household. The growing number of cases is straining the organization’s resources, highlighting the urgent need for community support to assist homeless pets in crisis.