As president and founder of Mikaela's Mutt Motel, a rescue service in Clarksville, Tennessee, Mikaela Lambert is often in touch with local shelters and authorities, offering to help dogs however she can.
Earlier this month, Lambert reached out to a contact
at Hickman Humane Society and learned about a devastating hoarding case unfolding nearby. According to humane society staff, there were at least 20 dogs suffering inside and around a dilapidated home, occasionally peeking their heads out the open windows, as if looking for help.
Lambert immediately jumped into action and helped organize a rescue team.
“We all worked tirelessly to contact rescues, organizations and volunteers,” Lambert told The Dodo. “The response that we received was truly incredible.”
Team members loaded rescue vehicles and drove nearly two hours to the dogs in Lyles, Tennessee, where Hickman Humane Society personnel and Hickman County officers waited.
When they arrived, they spotted tens of dogs, some of them trapped in the home, others tied to outdoor pens, all of them skinny and suffering.
“We were all heartbroken,” Lambert said.
In total, rescuers saved 34 pups from the property, all of whom found temporary homes with Mikaela's Mutt Motel team members.
Rescuers gave every single dog a name — Jughead, Bud, Opal, Bobbie, Panda, Spud, Patch, Dot, Daisy, Gator, James, Tip, Hippo, Finn, Ahsoka, Libby, Jasmine, Ember, Jasper, Ash, Smoker, Cinder, Houdini, Bandit, Raven, Kit, Taz, MayBell, Jersey, Phoenix, Iris, Roscoelette, Henry III and Jaxon.
Today, all the pups are receiving medical treatment, gaining weight and learning to trust again.
“It is amazing to see them come out of their shells!” Lambert said. “Some of them are even learning how to play with toys now! Most of them are shy with new people, but they are warming up quickly!”
Once they’re ready, the pups will go up for adoption and find permanent homes of their own.
“With time, patience, love and understanding, these babies are going to be amazing family members for some lucky folks!” Lambert said.
