VALLEY CITY, N.D. - This week, volunteers are putting in long days, helping more than five dozen dogs rescued from dirty, dangerous conditions.
Barnes County deputies confiscated the animals from a rural home.
Dozens of horse stalls are making a much better home than these Australian Cattle Dogs knew just a few days ago.
"The kennels were not cleaned out, very deep in feces, manure. Not adequate water changed, some of the water buckets were green, some of them had no water," said Rebeckah Johnson, Prairie Paws
Rebeckah Johnson and Prairie Paws helped rescue 64 dogs and puppies from a rural residence in Barnes County.
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The State veterinarian investigated the property and recommended the Sheriff's office seize the animals from their unhealthy conditions.
Several dogs were in such rough shape, they needed to be euthanized. And staff is still checking the others for health concerns.
"Most of the animals are covered in ticks. There's been no parasite treatment, they're wormy, no vaccinations so if there is an outbreak, it will wipe out, everybody will be sick," said Johnson
Each one of these dogs will require at least $50 of basic vet care, and it could be months of legal red tape before they're adoptable.
"That'll be the biggest thing is the due process for the court case. In the meantime, they have to be taken care of."
The state's attorney is still filing charges. Jamestown-based Prairie Paws needs more hands to help take care of the dogs.
The group is looking for volunteers to clean, feed and socialize the animals. And asking for many of the creature comforts these creatures have never known.
"It is stunning to the public and new people, volunteers. They're just like, 'I didn't think things could happen like this.'"
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You can find contact information to help on WDAY.com. You can also drop off donations in Fargo at Natural Pet Center.
