Humane Educational Society rescues 21 dogs from Rhea County property

A dog's paw is seen in the hand of a Humane Educational Society staff member after being rescued from a Rhea County, Tenn., property. / Photo contributed by HES
A dog's paw is seen in the hand of a Humane Educational Society staff member after being rescued from a Rhea County, Tenn., property. / Photo contributed by HES

The Humane Educational Society is encouraging Chattanooga area residents to donate or adopt after 21 dogs were rescued from a property in Rhea County, Tennessee, according to a society news release.

Rhea County Animal Control recovered all 21 dogs, which appear to be mostly chihuahua and spaniel mixes, and the humane society took in 13 of them for rehabilitation and adoption. Rhea County Animal Shelter is providing the remaining animals with care.

(READ MORE: Two new shelter directors talk animal welfare in Chattanooga)

The animals are undergoing initial health exams and appear "shy and need some time to warm up, but melt in your arms once they feel safe," according to humane society Executive Director Rebecca Bryan.

Some are expected to require long-term rehabilitation, but the healthy and social ones should be available for adoption soon pending medical evaluation, she said in the release.

"[The humane society] has been at or above capacity for most of the summer," Bryan said. "We lucked out this week and had space to help our neighbors. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we rely on donations to go the extra mile for pets in need."

(READ MORE: Chattanooga animal shelters are at or near capacity)

Sequatchie County residents, who do not have local animal services, tend to rely on rescue centers like the Marion Animal Resource Connection, East Tennessee Animal Alliance and neighboring shelters like Rhea County Animal Shelter and the humane society for animals in need, the release states.

Those who wish to submit an application to adopt an animal or donate to help provide care for animals in need can do so at heschatt.org.

- Compiled by Kim Sebring

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