Old Dominion Humane Society Brings Dozens Of Dogs To Fredericksburg From One Of The Largest Rescue Operations In Henry County, Va.

Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) joined partner organizations in one of the largest animal rescue operations the Henry County, Va., Sheriff’s Office has ever undertaken. When the Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit conducted a welfare check on a residence on November 14, they found 106 dogs of different breeds outside the home. Inside the house, the living conditions were deemed hazardous and unsanitary, requiring immediate removal of the animals.

When the Henry County, Va., Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Unit conducted a welfare check on a residence on November 14, they found 106 dogs of different breeds outside. Photo (from left): Meghan Cohn, Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) volunteer; Haylee Custer, Henry County Animal Shelter volunteer; William Bryant, animal control officer; Dakota Cassell, Henry County Animal Shelter manager; and Anna Swann, ODHS volunteer, helped capture and transport more than 100 dogs from a residence in Henry County. They joined deputies, animal services staff and partnering rescue organizations in what the sheriff’s office says was “one of the largest animal rescue operations it’s ever undertaken.”

ODHS volunteers Anna Swann, 20, and Meghan Cohn, 21, of Fredericksburg, drove the eight-hour round trip to help capture and transport more than 40 of the rescued dogs to the Fredericksburg facility. Several dogs are pregnant, one just gave birth and another two were already nursing upon arrival to ODHS.

“Our volunteers are committed to helping save these dogs, and they worked throughout the night to make sure ODHS could take as many as possible,” said Chrissy Hamilton, ODHS founder. “The dogs were severely neglected and in dire need of care. Upon arrival, they were provided with medical assessments, nutritious food that was critically needed, clean kennels and bedding. Fortunately, a majority of them are being cared for by foster families.”

Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said it was one of the largest animal rescue operations the agency has ever undertaken, and he was proud of the professionalism and dedication shown by the deputies, animal services staff and partnering rescue organizations. “Their teamwork ensured that more than 100 animals were removed safely and humanely,” he said.

When 106 dogs were rescued from a residence in Henry County, Va., on November 14, one pup wound up with a different litter. Old Dominion Humane Society Foster Sarah Smith said the mother just gave birth and the pups looked the same in size and color--except one. The one pup, who was larger than the rest and had a tan coat, was nursing along with the other pups. Photo: Mother dog Britany Shears nurses (from left) Will Smooth, Nudacris and “adopted” pup Cynthia Fur-ivo. For more information about the dogs available for adoption and adoption surveys, as well as upcoming events, volunteering, fostering and donating items, visit https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org.

ODHS Foster Sarah Smith shared a touching story about a mother dog, Brittany Shears, who just gave birth to pups. They look the same, are equal in size and had yet to grow any fur—except one. One pup was noticeably larger and sported a tan coat, and she was happily nursing along with the others. Smith believes that during the capture and rescue, the larger pup was inadvertently mixed in with the litter. Even with the shuffling around, she’s being cared for and loved just as much as the mother dog’s own pups.

“It’s heartbreaking to see animals living in conditions like these dogs were,” said Hamilton. “ODHS is here to try to save as many dogs as possible, and we can only do this work with the dedication of our volunteers and fosters. It’ll be rewarding to see the dogs become healthier and flourish each day as they wait to be adopted into loving families.”