Becky Gillette – A rescue of 29 dogs from a rural Carroll County residence spearheaded by Unconditional Love Pet Rescue (ULPR) has gathered the support of Green Forest veterinarians, their assistants, Berryville Mayor Tim McKinley, animal control officer Chuck Stubbs and volunteers who have donated time and money.
“I have never had the community rally around a rescue like with this group,” ULPR’s Diane Ferguson said. “The community has been awesome. We thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for the help for the dogs. It particularly makes an impression on me that it’s people who have nothing who are bringing things to help.” Ferguson and her partner, Laura Ward, co-own ULPR.
Before and after photos of the dogs are posted on the ULPR Facebook page. The photos can be hard for animal lovers to look at, and the video comes with a warning that some people are unable to watch it because the condition of the dogs is heartbreaking.
“The first eighteen dogs we rescued were in terrible shape,” Ferguson said. “They were grossly matted. Because of being matted that badly for so long, some are having mobility issues. A quarter of them are heartworm positive. There are skin issues and abscesses from lack of care. One had an eye injury so bad that it had to be removed. None of the dogs are in good condition and all are infested with parasites. By my standards, they were in deplorable shape.”
The owner of the dogs originally asked for help with approximately 43 dogs. Twenty-nine dogs have been brought into the rescue with the possibility of a few more to be turned in. The individual feels he can care for the remaining dogs better now that the number of dogs has been greatly reduced.
Ferguson said the rescue would not have been possible without the expert care from three vets at St. Francis Veterinary Clinic in Green Forest, Dr. Brett Buchanan, Dr. Ron Eby and Dr. Anne Brenneke, and their assistants, including groomers. The team worked long hours get the animals groomed, neutered and treated for illnesses, injuries and neglect.
“Doctors Eby, Buchanan and Brenneke have really gone above and beyond duty,” Ferguson said. “They have been incredibly supportive. They have opened up the office. Because of the excruciatingly poor condition these dogs were in, they brought tears to the eyes of everyone who encountered them. The dogs were literally imprisoned in their own matting. One Yorky that weighed about four pounds was carrying around approximately his same weight in mats. The mats had formed a cast around his body. Most of the dogs needed to be anesthetized in order to have the matting shaved off them. There were sores with maggots underneath the matting. It was disgusting and absolutely heart wrenching. They were in terrible condition.”
St. Francis Veterinarian clinic groomers took their day off and came in and groomed the bulk of them. The animals were all neutered this week.
“They rallied together to get that done,” Ferguson said. “Ann Brenneke took care of the dog that needed its eye removed. Most of the dogs have been taken to the vet now.”
Four have gone to a Corgi rescue group, and two more are going Friday. ULPR is also coordinating with other rescue groups.
Some dogs still need names. People who want to help provide relief are asked to contact Ferguson at the Berryville Animal Shelter from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
“Right now the dogs aren’t available for adoption. They need to be socialized first because they aren’t used to people. They aren’t pets yet. They are terribly frightened. They are all good dogs, they are just dogs that haven’t been handled. But they’re coming along,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson is taking care of the 29 new dogs in addition to 60 dogs at the UPRL shelter for strays and abandoned dogs. She takes care of the main rescues while Janice Durbin tends to the 29 new rescues.
“I’m sorry I have been difficult to reach,” Ferguson said. “I have my hands full with two combined rescues. I’m still doing the work to get the main rescue dogs online for adoption. And we are short a full-time employee who injured her hand in accident. Our biggest need is for more volunteers. People are responding to needs like coming to do laundry, which is really helping. If they want to go down and help socialize the dogs, that is also helpful.”
Supplies in most need include towels, blankets, comforters, rags, bleach, pine cleaner, trash bags and laundry detergent. For more information, go to the Unconditional Love Pet Rescue Facebook page. There is also a need for donations to help with vet bills. Cash donations can be sent to ULPR, 18 Stoppel Road, Eureka Springs AR 72632.