MONROE, Wash — Dozens of dogs were rescued from a breeder in eastern Washington Wednesday and brought to shelters in western Washington.
The breeder apparently reached out for local assistance, but because so many shelters are full, help wasn't available until things got out of hand.
Pasado's Safe Haven Investigations and Rescue Team organized the rescue of 40 English Labradors after being contacted by the Pend Oreille Sheriff's Office.
"It was just a circumstance where they were trying to do the right thing and were unable to get the help that they need, and the problem just kept growing. So, fortunately, law enforcement learned about the problem and reached out to us," said Pasado's Safe Haven Animal Cruelty Response and Prevention Director Kirsten Gregory.
Gregory said Pasado's may be the only rescue service in Washington that serves the entire state and has the capacity to respond to a remote location for a large rescue.
The team brought the dogs to the Monroe Fairground. The animals received medical care and full examinations.
"The animals are actually in pretty good shape," said Gregory. "They were being well fed. They appear to be in good health. They're all young. We're really hopeful that they're all going to settle into homes really easily."
The labs range in age from 4 months to 2 years old and come in a range of colors. Gregory said the dogs didn't show any immediate signs of trauma.
Pasado's took several dogs back to its sanctuary in Monroe. It also partnered with animal organizations to take some of the dogs, including Rescue4All, Homeward Pet, The NOAH Center, Center Valley Animal Rescue, Mason County Humane Society, Regional Animal Services of King County, Spokane Humane Society, PAWS and SpokAnimal.
Gregory called the rescue unique both because of its size and the circumstance. She said the dogs will likely be up for adoption sometime in the next two weeks.