When homeowners in Jacksonville, Florida, rented out their property to a couple and their dogs, they didn’t think twice about it. At first, everything appeared perfectly normal.
But when rent payments suddenly stopped, concern set in. After countless unanswered calls, the owners decided to check the property themselves. What they uncovered was beyond belief.
Inside the home, there was no sign of the tenants, but instead, they found 130 chihuahuas struggling to survive in overcrowded conditions.
A Big Extraction
The moment the owners realized what was happening inside their house, they immediately called Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Service for urgent help.
Michael Bricker, chief of Jacksonville Animal Control, quickly arrived at the scene. Although the sight left him stunned, he gathered himself and began coordinating the rescue operation.
When asked about the situation inside, he admitted that with 130 small dogs crammed into one house, “things were quite messy.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. The odor inside was so overwhelming that every rescuer needed special masks just to breathe safely while entering the home.
With so many animals involved, animal control had to call in every available hand. Thanks to the dedication of staff and volunteers, each pup was carefully removed from the home and received a full medical exam.
All of the dogs were promptly vaccinated and microchipped. Because the shelter was already overflowing with nearly 300 animals, finding homes for them quickly became the top priority.
“We are taking care of them now and they will be ready for foster or adoption real soon,” Bricker explained.
Everyone Gets A Cute Pup
The shelter shared the situation on social media, hoping kind-hearted people would step forward. To their astonishment, the very next morning over 200 people lined up outside, eager to adopt.
By Saturday, every single one of the 130 chihuahuas had found a new home. The shelter posted a heartfelt thank-you message to the community:
“We’re proud to say that all of them have found new foster or permanent homes. This was a monumental task and we truly thank all of you who helped out. Thank you to our ACPS team for coming together so fast – Your dedication to these animals is heart warming and should be recognized. We appreciate you,” they wrote.
This incredible rescue demonstrates what is possible when a community unites for a common cause.
Knowing that dogs who once lived piled on top of each other with no proper care are now safe, healthy, and loved is nothing short of inspiring.
To all the amazing people in Jacksonville who stepped up; you’ve shown the world the power of compassion and teamwork.