Billings, MT—When Harper, Oregon law enforcement officials served warrants to Barbara and Robert Erickson last Thursday, they expected to find about 200 dogs in the couple’s residence. What they found were more than 552 dogs, victims of a phenomenon known as animal hoarding. Assistance with rescue efforts was to be much greater than expected and the local animal rescue and foster group charged with organizing the rescue called upon The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for assistance.

That group, Second Chance Animal Shelter of Fruitland, Idaho, called on Dave Pauli, director of The HSUS Northern Rockies Regional Office in Billings, Montana, who has been organizing placement of the dogs to animal shelters and rescue groups in the region. Pauli, an expert in animal rescue services in disaster situations, coordinated outreach and response with animal groups in Colorado, Oregon and Idaho. The HSUS assisted with triage efforts including vaccinations, animal care and distribution.

“Rescue efforts in this case have been tremendous,” Pauli said. “With the discovery of more than 500 dogs on the Erickson’s property, officials had to work quickly to control the situation while providing assistance to the dogs as soon as possible. Second Chance did an excellent job with the resources they had. When The HSUS received the call for help, we knew it would take the efforts of many agencies to receive and adopt these animals.”

The dogs have been distributed to shelters in Idaho and Oregon or are being held at the Idaho Humane Society in Boise or Second Chance for pre-adoption treatment, including spay and neuter services and grooming. The HSUS is organizing efforts to redistribute the large amount of leftover donated dog food to needy shelters.

The organizations assisting Second Chance during this rescue effort include: The HSUS, Oregon Humane Society in Portland, Central Oregon Humane Society in Bend, OR; Idaho Humane Society; Shenna Humane Foundation of Twin Falls, ID; Green Hill Humane Society of Eugene, OR; Northwest Animal Companions of Nampa, ID and Oregon Terrier Rescue. Most of the dogs have been taken by the shelters and will be put up for adoption. Unfortunately, 122 of the 552 had to be euthanized. About 100 of the dogs are currently in foster care or with the Second Chance Animal Shelter.

“The HSUS has the personnel and resources to help with any sort of animal-related disaster anywhere in the country,” Pauli said. “The discovery of hundreds of dogs in a hoarding situation definitely qualifies as a disaster. These animals were living in dangerous, unhealthy conditions. Due to a coordinated, quick response and team effort, we were able to successfully help these dogs.”

Barbara and Robert Erickson have been charged with criminal neglect in the first degree, animal neglect in the second degree and criminal mischief. The HSUS will work closely with the prosecutor to ensure the animal collectors are prosecuted vigorously to the full extent of the law.