The Department of Animal Protection from the Animal Rescue League of Berks County (ARL) responded Thursday to a call regarding an RV traveling through Reading, PA, with a large volume of dogs in unsanitary conditions. During the visit, a total of 44 dogs were removed from the vehicle.
In a successful interagency coordination with the Pennsylvania SPCA, the ARL was able to transfer 38 of the dogs overnight to PSPCA’s Chest Springs location, and the remaining 6 of them immediately went into foster care through the ARL.
This case occurs in a moment in which the ARL is near capacity for dogs with less than 10 open kennels. “While the ARL is fully equipped with the skilled personnel, facilities, and industry expertise to respond to cases like this at a moment’s notice, these situations are extremely taxing on our shelter and significantly disrupt the delicate system of our day-to-day operations,” said ARL’s CEO, Ashley Mikulsky.
“We could not be more grateful to the Good Samaritan who alerted us to this case and to PSPCA for stepping in to help us at a moment’s notice. Yesterday would not have been possible without interagency collaboration and the support of our community which funds the ARL’s dedicated Department of Animal Protection.”
There are a few ways in which the community can help the ARL right now:
Volunteer: The organization will be at full capacity after bringing in these dogs, taxing an already short staff. If you have time in your day to assist with laundry, cleaning, food preparation, or any other support task for the next few weeks, please fill out a volunteer application at https://berksarl.org/volunteer/.
Adopt: The organization will have upcoming promotions, adoption events and over 80 animals available for adoption right now. Visit https://berksarl.org/pets/ to see all adoptable pets. The ARL will be hosting a sponsored adoption weekend on Saturday Oct. 25 learn more at https://berksarl.org/events/.
Donate: These animals will need vaccines and spay/neuter surgeries, as well as the standard care of food, housing resources, etc. Current most-needed item for donation is bath or beach towels. Donations can be dropped off any time at the orange donation shed at 58 Kennel Rd. You can also donate at https://berksarl.org/berksdonates/ or contact development@berksarl.org.
The investigation is still open and outcomes are pending.
