Salt Lake City Animal Services provide update on hoarding situation

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — After original reports of an animal hoarding situation, Salt Lake County Animal Services is still utilizing all resources to ensure proper treatment and care for the animals.

In August, officials rescued over 100 dogs and one tortoise from a hoarding situation in Salt Lake City’s Avenues. They say the tortoise was reclaimed shortly after being rescued from the home.

According to Salt Lake County Animal Services spokesperson, Ashley Bales, as officials continued to return to the home, the number increased to over 100 dogs.

The Humane Society did take on some of the dogs as well as other animals in the shelter, totaling over 20 animals. The Humane Society confirmed they don’t have any onsite available for adoption, but they are in their care for treatment.

Bales clarified that all animals in the area are under the Animal Services jurisdiction and they go through them before being sent to another shelter for care. She wanted it to be clear the shelter is not full or at capacity, but they needed additional help due to the unexpected influx of dogs arriving.

While there have been some adoptions, Bales explained animals have to be spayed and neutered before going up for adoption and that can be a timely process. They have approximately 18 surgeries a day, on average, and that includes animals outside of this hoarding situation.

Bales expressed the Animal Services’ deepest gratitude for all donations from their Amazon wishlist to individual resources offered. She said they have loved seeing the community’s response to this situation.