Rescuers Arrive At Burned House — And Find 34 Lives To Save
"This family was already in over their heads before the fire.”
A family was sitting around their house on New Year's Eve when the power suddenly went out.
Then they heard some popping sounds coming from the electrical outlets — something was seriously wrong.
Shortly after the family managed to leave, the house totally went up in flames.
The family was already overwhelmed with responsibilities because of the animals they'd taken in as pets. Eighteen dogs, six cats, nine chickens and one duck depended on the family for their lives. Thankfully, none perished in the fire; many already lived in little sheds outside.
The family — and their 34 animals — officially had no home. But help was on the way.
“It was obvious from the living conditions these animals were being housed in that this family was already in over their heads before the fire,” Amy Haverstick, director of investigations and logistics for Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), said in a statement. “I’m grateful that they have surrendered all of the animals to us and now they can focus on themselves and we can find proper placement for their animals.”
When rescuers from ARC arrived, they found dogs chained to trees and living in small pens that gave them little shelter from the frigid temperatures. The six cats were running loose in the yard, also suffering from the cold.
Now, every single animal who had been struggling to survive on so little has found warmth and shelter at ARC's shelter in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Rescuers at ARC have been upping their efforts to help pets kept outside during the recent cold spell. This week they also rescued 13 dogs kept in shacks by a breeder who voluntarily surrendered them to rescuers.
The dangerous cold spell that recently swept across the U.S. put so many lives in danger — luckily, these rescues have successfully given animals another chance at life.
The family is currently housed in a local motel while they figure out their next steps. Luckily, everyone is involved is safe from the cold.
"[The animals] will receive any and all necessary medical treatments and vaccinations before being transported to placement partners around the U.S. where they will eventually be up for adoption," ARC said.