Memphis Animal Services 'begging' for help after 40 abused dogs seized from home

The kennels at Memphis Animal Services were already full when Memphis police met MAS employees at a Berclair residence on Thursday.

But when the two agencies discovered 40 dogs living on the property, most of them trapped in cages with thick layers of feces coating the bottom, MAS went from full to bursting with canines needing temporary and permanent placement.

"In my experience, these were some of the worst conditions I've ever seen," said MAS Director Alexis Pugh, who was on site for the rescue. 

Pugh said the Memphis Fire Department had to come to the residence and place industrial fans in the doorways to reduce the odor from ammonia and feces before rescuers were even allowed inside the house. 

40 dogs kept in 'torture' conditions

Once inside, rescuers found 28 dogs living in the house, 11 dogs in the garage and one dog in the backyard. Most of them, Pugh believed, were suffering from acute kennel distress from being trapped inside their cages for undetermined amounts of time.

One dog, to Pugh's eye, had chewed off its tail in its confusion. Another was trapped in a cage with fecal matter up to its elbow.

"These conditions ... the human equivalency here is torture, we had to take them in," Pugh said. 

Pugh lauded the efforts of MAS employees, some of whom came in on their days off. At least one drove back from their vacation in Orange Beach, Alabama, to help with the rescue. 

"The team here really stepped up," Pugh said. "Over the years, MAS has gotten a bad reputation because of some of the former employees, but if people saw the response from this group yesterday, I think they would have been amazed."

'We are begging for the public's help'

Now, MAS is pleading with the public for residents to come in and adopt, or even temporarily foster a dog. 

"Even if you can only foster a dog for a week, a weekend, whatever works with your life, we'll take it," said Pugh, who added that even one dog being fostered for a handful of days can give the shelter desperately needed room and prevents other dogs from being euthanized because of a lack of space. 

"At this point," Pugh said, "I won't use any word besides beg, we are begging for the public's help. We are in push mode." 

The dogs rescued from the property will be seen by the shelter's vet. Once they are cleared for adoption, MAS will post theirs pictures on its website. 

The shelter is also running a $19 adoption special through the weekend. 

Donations of food, pet supplies also needed

If someone isn't able to either foster or adopt an animal to help with capacity issues, Pugh said the shelter would accept donations of food and other pet supplies. Pugh says they even have a wish list on Amazon, which will deliver the goods directly to MAS.

In addition to the influx of 40 dogs, MAS is still running its regular programs. The need for supplies is almost as urgent as the need for fosters, Pugh said. 

Almost. 

"What will push us up off over the top and get us through this crisis is the response of the citizens," Pugh said. 

The Memphis Animal Services facility is open seven days a week at 2350 Appling City Cove. Donations from the supply wish list can be dropped off in person at the facility from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday-Sunday, and from noon-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.