By: Matthew Phillips 

 

Troy Animal Rescue Project (TARP), a local non-profit organization, is working tirelessly after discovering over 100 neglected dogs and cats living in heartbreaking conditions at a rural home near the Jack and Pike County line, overwhelmed by filth and fear. 

 

The rescue mission began with a desperate phone call, a plea for help that hinted at a much bigger tragedy.

 

“A friend of the homeowner called us and said her friend had been hospitalized with cancer and did not know when or if she would be coming back home,” said TARP Director Tiffany Howington. “She said there were 15 pets, but when we arrived, it was far beyond anything we could have imagined.”

 

As the rescue team pulled into the rural property, they were met by a shocking sight.

 

“20 dogs swarmed the driveway before we could even get out of our vehicle,” said Howington. “We could smell the house from the outside, and that is when we knew we were in serious trouble.”

 

Inside, the conditions are described as “unbearable.” 

 

“The smell hits you immediately, like gag-inducing,” Howington explained. “There was no furniture that wasn’t soaked in urine or caked in feces, animals hidden between the walls, and a foot of feces in some areas. The mattresses are, like, literally cemented to the floor.” 

 

In addition, most of the dogs found at this location are suffering from severe infections, including as a result of flea infestations within the home and untreated wounds from fighting, as none had ever received proper veterinary care. 

 

“This is easily one of the top five worst hoarding cases I have ever seen since doing rescue operations,” Howington added. “It is emotionally devastating, as these animals are terrified and unsocialized.” 

 

Due to the homeowner’s serious health conditions, reportedly battling cancer, no charges have been filed against the homeowner at this time. 

 

Going into day four, the team has managed to save 42 dogs, with dozens more still trapped inside. Cats have also been discovered on the property, pushing the total number of animals even higher.

 

TARP is now calling on the community for help, as their site was already at over-capacity limits before this ongoing search and rescue process. 

 

“We need donations, volunteers, food for both dogs and puppies, puppy pads, crates and just fostering would go a long way,” Howington said. “Our facility is at capacity. We need fosters for the dogs we already have just to make space for this next round of rescues.”

 

In an effort to place current rescues into loving homes and open up shelter space, the organization will be hosting an Adoption Clinic this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tractor Supply in Troy. 

Donations can be made easily through the shelter’s website, at https://troyanimalrescueproject.org/donate/, via CashApp at https://cash.app/$troyanimalrescue, or on Venmo @troyanimalrescue.