A dozen dogs are looking for a new home after their owner abandoned them at a VRBO rental house in Arizona, according to the Arizona Humane Society.
On Sept. 5, AHS cruelty investigators received a report of multiple dogs left behind at a rental property after their owner checked out, according to spokesperson Kelsey Dickerson.
Investigators found three dead puppies in a freezer and 14 sick, severely matted dogs living in "horrific conditions," Dickerson said.
The dogs were rushed to the humane society's Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital, where veterinarians found them malnourished and covered with urine and feces.
"All needed immediate medical attention," Dickerson said. "Two were in irreversible organ failure and humanely euthanized to prevent
further suffering."
The 12 surviving dogs, ages 3 months to 5 years, were recovering. Six were already in Foster Hero homes, and six more were awaiting placement once medically cleared, according to Dickerson.
The case is one of more than a dozen animal-hoarding investigations the team is currently handling. In recent weeks, the team has rescued more than 300 pets from similar situations, Dickerson said. Investigators respond to about 20 hoarding cases each month, which it defines as homes with 10 or more pets.
Those interested in helping the dogs on their recovery journey can visit azhumane.org/Foster to complete a Foster Hero application.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Puppies found dead, dozen dogs rescued from Arizona rental home
