HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KWCH) – Multiple agencies across Kansas came together last month to rescue dozens of dogs from what’s being described as “unimaginable conditions from a home in Jewell County. Dozens more were found dead on the property in north-central Kansas.
Among the agencies stepping up is the Hutchinson Animal Shelter. On Friday, the shelter provided a behind-the-scenes look at the work going into building trust with the dogs and getting as many as possible on the path to rehabilitation. This included demonstrating what it takes to guide a rescued mother dog into a crate while trying to limit her stress level and then safely handling her puppies and joining them with their mother.
“In total, there were 85 dogs removed, 49 of them were alive,” Hutchinson Animal Services Director Michaela Schomer said. “To explain the conditions, there was not a single square inch of the flooring anywhere in this home that was not under three to five inches of animal feces.”
Schomer said the dogs found on the Jewell County property were riddled with fear, injuries and other health issues.
“They have to fight to survive; they have to get that last piece of Kibble and to have something to eat.”
Schomer worked to prepare rescued dogs for transfer to other locations from the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, one by one.
“It is a good thing they’re going somewhere else. We’re just one step in their journey to a new home,” she said.
As of Friday afternoon, two dogs remained with the Hutchinson Animal Shelter. Thirty-nine are with the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. The rest are at various shelters in the state.
With the hope that as many of the rescued dogs as possible can find new homes, some will need more time than others to be ready for adoption. For those interested in helping the shelter, Schomer said they are always looking for fosters and volunteers. You can find further information on the shelter’s website.
Agencies that assisted in the dogs’ rescue from the Jewell County property:
- Jewell County Sheriff Jacobs and 3 Deputies
- Hutchinson Animal Services
- Newton Animal Control Lindsey Robinette
- Manhattan Animal Control Kourtney Brodosi
- Sedgwick County Animal Control Dakota Kidd
Timeline of events:
- The Jewell County Sheriff’s officer reached out to Hutchinson Animal Services for help on April 23.
- Hutchinson Animal Services staff removed 31 dogs from the property on April 25.
- Hutchinson Animal Services AND other listed agencies removed the remaining 15 living dogs and 39 deceased dogs on April 30.
Where are they now?
- 2 at Pawnee County Humane Society
- 2 remain in Hutchinson
- 6 at Prairie Paws Animal Shelter of Manhattan
- 39 at Humane Society of Greater Kansas City
- 4 dogs humanely euthanized for serious behavioral or medical concerns/not rehabilitate
- 1 puppy died on the way to emergency vet care
Ways people can help any shelter?
- Donate
- Foster
- Adopt
- Volunteer
- Have your pets spayed or neutered
- Keep your own pets
Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
