ASPCA Assists Humane Society of Henderson County in Placement of More Than 20 Dogs to Provide Space for Animals Seized in Cruelty Case

NEW YORK--The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), through its Shelter Response Partnership program, is transporting more than 20 dogs from the Humane Society of Henderson County in Henderson, Ky., to several shelters and rescue groups throughout the region. Officials at the local shelter requested the ASPCA's assistance in the transfer and placement of the current shelter population to enable them to house animals that were seized during a recent criminal investigation and allow the dogs a chance for adoption at other shelters through the transport operation.

The ASPCA Shelter Response Partnership program is a network of national and local animal welfare organizations that assists the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team by providing a second chance for animals rescued from overcrowded facilities and cruelty investigations.

"The ASPCA is grateful for our response partners who stepped up to help a shelter with limited resources and offer to help transfer and place the animals in permanent homes," said Joel Lopez, senior manager of operations for ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. "The transport and placement plan will allow the Humane Society of Henderson County to continue its daily operations without overcrowding its facility."

The dogs--which include a variety of different breeds such as Labrador, shepherd, boxer and hound mixes--were medically examined and behaviorally evaluated by ASPCA responders in the past week. Dr. Pamela Reid, vice president of the ASPCA's Anti-Cruelty Behavior team, reported that the majority of the dogs were very friendly and will make great companions for individuals and families looking to add a four-legged member to their home.

"The ASPCA stepped in to ensure that the recent string of criminal court cases and seizures did not overpopulate our shelter, putting adoptable animals at risk," said Joshua Cromer, shelter director of the Humane Society of Henderson County. "We are grateful that the ASPCA provided resources to help in the placement of our animals, and I'm confident that they will be placed into loving homes. We will be able to continue to do our work in speaking up and protecting homeless, neglected and abused animals that don't have a voice in our community."

The ASPCA animal transport trailer, a custom-built 60-foot-long vehicle, will be making several stops during the transfer operation. Agencies assisting the ASPCA with placement include: Kentucky Humane Society (Louisville, Ky.); Capital Area Humane Society (Hilliard, Ohio); and SPCA Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio).