Humane Society Short on Space after Seizure of More Than 150 Animals

HSNT ready to adopt many of the animals seized

The Humane Society doesn't normally encourage holiday pet adoptions without careful consideration but feels it has no choice after more than 150 animals were received on Friday.

The Humane Society of North Texas took custody of 142 small breed dogs, three pygmy goats, three rabbits, two cats and more than a dozen chickens from what authorities called a sub-standard puppy mill in Aubrey.

The Denton County Sheriff's Office called it "the single most egregious case of animal neglect ever seen in Denton County."

The animals were seized on Dec. 6 after a Denton County Animal Control deputy, investigating a complaint, found the animals being kept in deplorable conditions in a mobile home, two outbuildings and two outdoor enclosures.

The owners relinquished the animals in a civil hearing Friday. The district attorney's office says criminal charges against the couple are pending.

Veterinarians at the HSNT examined and treated every animal for everything from malnutrition and ear infections to flea infestation and parvovirus.

"Even after over 20 years in the animal welfare business, I was overwhelmed at the complete despair I saw in each of these animal’s eyes," said Tammy Hawley, Director of Operations for the HSNT. "We are grateful to the Denton County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office for their quick action. Because of that, we can now look forward to getting the animals into loving homes where they will once again find hope and joy." 

While some individual animals will require additional veterinary care, HSNT’s veterinary team says that nearly all of the animals are ready for adoption.

HSNT reports via Twitter Saturday that its Keller location ran out of adoptable dogs.

Interested adopters can call one of HSNT’s other two adoption centers:

Main location on East Lancaster at 817-332-4768 ext 102
Southwest Adoption Center on Hulen at 817-423-3647

Adopters are also needed for rabbits, goats, and chickens.

More: Humane Society of North Texas/Available Animals

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