They range in age from young puppies to several years old. They were living in a disgusting home in Palm Beach County, FL, among feces, urine, and all kinds of debris – in the home of a woman described as a hoarder. Some are ill, but most are in good health. The shelter where they were taken gave them what was probablly their first ever baths, and is in the process of having them examined by vets. The shelter said they probably won’t be available for adoption for several weeks. What scares me is that they are NOT in a no-kill shelter. I am trying to reach the shelter director to see what I can do to help. I am determined to do what I can to make sure they are all saved and to volunteer my time to help in their care until they are adopted.

 why exactly do people hoarde animals? Is it an illness?

From what I understand, sometimes they start with good intentions, trying to “help” the animals. Then it spirals out of control and they keep on “doing the best they can”. In this case, which I think is pretty typical, the woman hoarded things as well as yorkies, and that is an illness. She is in custody and receiving a mental evaluation.

More information – several years ago the woman bought a pair of yorkies, planning to breed them. She did, but she kept the puppies. And then all the puppies from then on. Sigh. Must be a lot of inbreeding. Hopefully once they are spayed and neutered they will be adoptable.

Oh MY! Those poor dogs:(

Oh, boy….I hope that somehow there will be a good outcome with this situation. I know about this ‘hoarding’ sickness first hand. My mother in law had it even though I, through the years, was the only one that recognized it. They moved from the town we lived in and lived in FL for their last 10 years. They didn’t have a great deal of money, but what they did have, she spent at garage sales, $ stores, etc. To make the story a little shorter, by the time she and her husband passed, my husband sure had a mess on his hands. They had gone so far as to fill their 2nd bathroom, tub, shower stall, EVERYTHING with this ‘stuff’ she had bought over the years. Like was noted, these things just spiral out of control.

I can only imagine how much health care and physical care these dogs need.  I think we all know we spend a lot on our dogs at the vet, shots, spay/neuter, good food, toys, chew bones, treats, etc.  I can’t imagine properly caring for 36 Yorkies.  I mean I have a health folder for each pet in our home so that I can track what they have had done and when.  I will say some prayers that they all get healthy and into good homes. The good thing is that Yorkies are popular dogs and people love them.  I hope that is an advantage to them.  Carla I wish you luck and it is great you are volunteering your time.  You know a lot of people in the Florida pet circuit, good luck and again I’ll say some prayers.

Thank goodness your there Carla! I sure hope that each and every one of them get good homes!! Keep us posted on what’s going on, eh?? 

I just came back from a Fla Humane Society adoptathon. They said the woman (hoarder) is a NURSE, and luckily most of the dogs are in good condition.

Yes, hoarding is a psychological illness. I know a crazy cat lady. I fed & took care of her 17 indoor cats when she was in hospital with a broken leg. Only five are friendly. Plus she feeds about 30 feral outdoor cats. Any time I have tried to speak with her about the problem, she states, she “loves them sooo much, and can not bear the thought of being without them”. At least I got her to T-N-R the outdoor and all inside are now fixed.

I will call my contacts at AC, that is the same one I pulled Stormy from, this week. How many ya want, Carla?? ;-D tina

T-N-R = trap, neuter & release  AC = animal control

How many do I WANT Tina? Wrong question – how many could I adopt without causing my husband to have a heart attack. Answer to that question, given all the other stresses in our life right now, = zero. Will I stand by while any that can be adopted are enthanised, no way.

I haven’t heard of that one: death by yorkie invasion! I wasn’t serious….or you could always do what I do ~ just don’t tell him! ;-o

I TRIED that once, Tina. I figured there were so many, what is one more? He’ll never even notice. Wellllllllll…..that lasted approximately 30 seconds. he came in the door and patted heads, greeting each…Hiya Mavie, hello Wallie, Hey there Merry, hiya--HEY—who are you??? OOPSIE!

Reminds me of when I brought Jack home….Bob came home from karate, asked, Did you gave Lacey a bath? She’s sooo fluffy, HEY! That’s not my Lacey, what the HECK???”

Update: Finally was able to speak with a live person at Animal Care & Control. Although they have the yorkies in their possession, they do not have legal custody of them. What happens depends on whether the woman who owns them or any of her relatives want them (or some of them) as well as the outcome of the owner’s mental health evaluation as well as our court system. Because Animal Care & Contro does not have legal custody, they cannot accept outside help in caring for the yorkies at this time (at least that’s what she thinks – she will check tomorrow and call me back). And, of course, they cannot be adopted until all this mess settles down. So there they sit/stay – 36 precious yorkies that I can’t even help by petting, holding, or walking.

sounds like the mess at the shelter i have volunteered at except it was a large puppymill raid but owners contested and wanted dogs back, over 300 dogs. was settled in court last week and they lost. dogs are now up for adoption. shelters , foster homes, and rescues were financially stressed to the max. hopfully this won’t drag on for long.

They would be considered “evidence” and until they start and finish any lawsuits they will not have posession. Keep in touch with them though, because they will eventually want ‘temorary’ foster homes more then likely. Also, if this is public knowledge people will come out of the woodwork so the shelter will be looking for reputable folks they know. Been there, done that.

I hope they are re-homeable. Unfortunately many times dogs that come out of this type of situation are unable to ever be socialized and at the very least difficult to place.

I just read aussie6pack’s post.   Sadly I realized that just because people love Yorkies, it doesn’t mean these poor pups have it any easier as far as potential adoptions are concerned.  They have been through so much trauma and who knows what kind of medical care they need as well as any issues that arise due to inbreeding.  Curious to see how this works out, and Carla I am sure it is frustrating wanting to help but not being able to as their situation is in a state of flux.  I’ll say some prayers. 

I hope I didn’t sound too negative…I meant to be realistic. I guess depending upon your point of view, any dog can be re-homed if you have the time and resources. I refuse to deal with any dogs that have temperament issues. There are too many sound dogs out there dying as it is. Unfortunately that’s a reality that rescuers face.

I am praying for the Yorkies and hope they have had some human interraction so any behavior/social issues are a minimum.

They just announced on the news that some of the yorkies may be available for adoption as early as Friday. However, they are classified as special needs because many of them have never been outside and have been living in such deplorable conditions that they didn’t even have the space to be close to their moms and play with their litermates. They sure are cute though! I am going to make one more attempt to offer my services – as a resource to people who adopt them and need help and/or information. So far the shelter seems to be enjoying the spotlight and total control a bit too much in my opinion.

You were not sounding negative at all, in fact I was being somewhat naive in thinking that people would love to adopt all of these Yorkies … of course with a picture of Zack and Quincy in my head, perfectly groomed and with good dispositions and training.  I know it is hard to watch this happen.  Again I will say some prayers.

Thanks so much for being there, Carla. Yes, it does seem the shelters can be that way. The shelter that had  a hoarder’s dogs from in FL only handed them over because they are bigger dogs and it was a small, rural shelter. We had to do alot of talking to get them.

I’ve offered counseling to the animal control here for years, but for some reason I think they feel like I am out to steal what is theirs or take away their thunder. Heck….I just want to help the dogs. I could no more work in a shelter because of their logic than I could be a breeder…

Good to hear Carla, and I do know what you mean about a control situation where the rescuers are ending up as the captors.  I have been volunteering at the MSPCA here in Boston doing Animal Rights Advocacy Work and other events.  People here have been great.  I have worked at Mass General Hospital’s ER and worse, Children’s Hospital ER here in Boston.  Some people develop healthy coping mechanisms (our Chief of Staff was a very humorous person, had to be).  Others get hardened to people in general, and that is when I see a scary situation.  It takes a special person to see the good in people and humans.  I hope the little ones are able to be placed soon… 

Kitsune…you are SO right! It definitely takes coping mechanisms! I know I have grown to be skeptical, but overall I think people are good and I keep my sense of humor…even if it is a dry, sarcastic one

The first eight were put up for adoption today. Over fifty people waited for their chance to meet and adopt at $67/dog.

These dogs are going to need a LOT of TLC, probably are not housetrained, and being inbred may have loads of health issues.

That’s really good news about the Yorkies, hopefully this time they will find the homes they deserve.