According to P.A.W.S., all 153 rescued dogs and puppies made it through Saturday night after they were cleaned up and care began on during Saturday's efforts. Workers spent Saturday washing the dogs, before taking them to the old animal shelter in Anderson County.
Parvo is on the property, and organizers said they needed to clean and treat the dogs as best they can before taking the animals to the old shelter. The group that helped clean the dogs met at Gethsemane Baptist Temple at 11 a.m., before they headed out to take care of the animals.
Parvo is a contagious virus mainly affecting dogs.
"According to our vet who has been a practicing vet for over 20 years, this is the nastiest situation that she has ever seen in her career," said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. "So it's been a huge effort."
Starr firefighters helped wash the dogs Saturday. The Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Humane Society and other local officials were on hand to help collect donations.
The dogs will be quarantined and cared for at the old county shelter for at least two weeks. Officials said they want to make sure the dogs are medically cleared before being placed into the current animal shelter with other animals.
Anderson County deputies said they took the dogs from a property in Starr on Friday. The owner relinquished the dogs to officials and no charges have been filed.
P.A.W.S. said they are assisting animal control with the cleaning and care for the dogs. They are also planning a future adoption event for the pups, optimistic most will be ready for adoption.
According to P.A.W.S., they are in desperate need of donations including dog food for puppies and adult dogs, paper bowls, puppy pads, paper towels, dish detergent, towels, newspaper, long shredded paper and any other dog-related items to help care for the rescued animals.
People wanting to make donations can drop them off at the shelter located on Highway 29 South in Anderson.
Deputies said they learned of the suspected puppy mill, when a customer bought a dog at the Anderson Jockey Lot that had Parvo.
Investigators said they then traced the dog back to a breeder, and found all of the dogs kept in wire cages across a property. Investigators say there will likely be charges filed in this case, but it is still under investigation.
(WHNS Greenville - Aug 11 2013)
