GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Dozens of dogs are on their way to West Michigan to start their new lives after being rescued from a shelter in Honduras.
Michele’s Rescue is spearheading efforts to bring the animals here and said they need your help.
The local nonprofit has incurred $20,000 in debt and expects about $30,000 more when the dogs arrive.
When Michele’s Rescue visited Roatan in December, they found dozens of dogs in enclosures with dirt floors and no running water or electricity.
“You could smell you know, the feces in the urine, and you could smell in the air, and we could feel it in our feet," said Theresa Ockaskis, a volunteer with Michele’s Rescue.
Michele’s Rescue said the shelter was founded by someone from West Michigan, and they allegedly abandoned it in the summer of 2023.
13 ON YOUR SIDE IS not naming the shelter’s founder because no charges have been filed against them. We did reach out to them but have not heard back yet.
“Unfortunately, the rescue and the animals that were left behind had no resources, no food, no money that was left to care for these animals," Ockaskis said.
Since rescue efforts began, more than 100 cats, hundreds of dogs and a few formerly emaciated horses have been adopted.
The final 31 dogs will get their second chance in West Michigan.
“We wanted to correct what had happened ... we needed to somehow make it right," Ockaskis said.
Half of the dogs have been pre-adopted and the others will go into foster homes.
Care packages have been donated so that the pups will feel comfortable in their new environment.
“They're going to have toys for the first time and blankets and snacks and treats and just all kinds of fun things inside there for all of the adopters," Ockaskis said.
Michele's Rescue said saving the animals was a group effort.
In July 2023, 'Rescue the Rescue' was formed by Tanya Walter, Karen Collins and Renee Deighton.
These three women had no experience with anything like this, but they knew they had to help the poor animals.
Graziela Kaufman, a celebrity jewelry designer and vice president of MCP rescue in Chicago, has been the primary donor. Her help has enabled the animals to continue receiving food, medical care and transportation out of Honduras.
The team networked with international organizations for support, including the Bissell Foundation, Humane Society International and many rescues in the United States, including Michele’s Rescue, MCP Chicago and Big Dog Ranch, among others.
The dogs arrive in Florida on Sunday, April 21, and after a few days in quarantine, they should be in West Michigan on Friday, April 26.
You can follow their journey on Facebook.
If you would like to help Michele’s rescue, you can donate online here.
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