PVAS provide update on rescued dogs condition, seeking fosters

HIDALGO COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Palm Valley Animal Society seeks foster help after receiving more than 60 dogs from a third animal hoarding case this year.

On June 4, the Hidalgo County Animal Control said in a news release that PVAS rescued 64 small to medium-sized dogs from a residence in Palmview.

Animal control rescued 45 small dogs on Tuesday before returning to the residence on Wednesday to gather the larger animals.

“What began as the elderly woman caring for two small dogs, evolved into 64 animals
being cared for by the woman in what officials viewed as unsafe and unsanitary
conditions,” the release stated.

According to a previous ValleyCentral report, the rescue came after the woman’s daughter called the sheriff’s office seeking a welfare check on her mother because of the number of animals on the property.

“Investigators were concerned that the elderly woman was using personal resources to feed the dogs so for the benefit of both the woman and the animals the woman voluntarily gave up the dogs,” said Eduardo Olivarez, Chief Administrative Officer of the Hidalgo County Department of Health and Human Services.

Faith Wright, Palm Valley Animal Society Director of Operations, said they rescued a total of 63 dogs from the home.

She told ValleyCentral the following details regarding the condition of the dogs:

• Three dogs have dislocated jaws
• About 75% of the dogs rescued from the home have skin conditions
• The dogs came to the shelter malnourished
• About six dogs are pregnant, however, the set number of pregnant dogs is unknown due to no signs of pregnancy until the four to six-week period.
• One dog has given birth to eight pups, however, she lost three due to malnourishment

PVAS advises fosters interested in taking a dog under their care to keep in mind, that their demodectic mange is not contagious.

This is the third animal hoarding case in the Rio Grande Valley within the last three months.

The first case was on April 1 where two women were charged with 94 counts of animal cruelty. The animals were discovered after an Uber Eats driver called the police regarding an odor at a McAllen home, according to authorities.

The second case happened just four days later on April 4. A man was charged with 68 counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals after a warrant was issued to raid the residence.

“So we had the first case from McAllen with the 90 dogs and one cat and then four days later we had the 60 cats five dogs, the macaw and the turtle and I really think what’s happening is that the community is becoming more aware that this is not okay, we can’t let our animals live like this,” said Wright in a previous ValleyCentral article.

Those interested in helping can contact PVAS at the following:

• To Adopt: Call 956.686.1141 or email adopt@pvastx.org.
• To Foster: Call 956.278.0702 or email foster@pvastx.org.
• For Rescues: Email rescue@pvastx.org.

Its Trenton shelter is allowing people to stop by during its hours of operation if interested in helping.

PVAS said most of the dogs will require special care.