38 Chihuahuas rescued from hoarding situation in Ceres; shelter offers $7.77 adoption fee special
CERES – Dozens of dogs have been rescued from a hoarding situation in Central California, officials announced on Monday.
According to the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency, the dogs were at a home in Ceres. Vaughn Maurice, the agency's executive director, said some of the dogs were able to get out of the home and make a break for it.
"They got out, and they started to go towards a neighbor's house with some little kids who are very frightened because they saw all these dogs coming towards them," Vaughn said.
The neighbors first reported the dogs and then directed officers to a home where more were found. In total, 38 Chihuahuas were rescued. Their ages ranged from two weeks old to 11 years old.
"The overpopulation of dogs at the single site raised significant health and well-being concerns, including inadequate living conditions, limited access to proper nutrition, and potential threats to the dogs' overall health," the agency said in a statement.
Vaughn further explained that the home had "poo and pee and garbage that just hasn't been picked up for quite some period of time. It's just really not healthy conditions, not just for the dogs, but for people also."
Ordinances vary across California, but only four pets per home are allowed in Stanislaus County.
Rescuers believe the Chihuahuas will be adopted quickly, due to smaller dogs being relatively rare at the county shelter. Still, to try and entice prospective adopters for the dogs and other animals at the shelter, a special adoption fee of just $7.77 is being offered by Stanislaus Animal Services Agency through March 17.
There were more than 260 dogs other than the 38 Chihuahuas just rescued available at the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency as of Monday.