The number of animals, especially dogs and cats, that are treated badly in puppy mills or hoarded by the dozens in homes would shock most people. The tally is hundreds of thousands each year in the US. The good news is, a great many of these situations are broken up, either by police or an animal welfare agency. But a problem then arises. What happens when a large number of animals need a new home fairly quickly? Tim Woodward worked for an animal welfare group. He saw this hole in the system. He then worked to help fill it. In 2011, Woodward and fellow animal welfare workers founded Animal Rescue Corps. It's a nonprofit in Tennessee. It scoops up dogs and other animals, even exotic pets, found to be living in dire settings. Corps leaders will deploy teams of workers across the country when they learn a big group of animals needs rescuing from abuse or neglect. “Most people are shocked when they hear stories about a woman down the street (who) had 100 cats or dogs in her house,” Woodward told CNN. “They can’t even imagine the cruelty (that goes along) with that.” The corps works with local police or animal welfare authorities to gain legal access to the animals and take over their care. Team workers transport the animals back to their Tennessee facility. They assess health needs at once. They next provide vet care. They nurse and nurture the animals back to health. That's both mentally and physically. And when they're better? The animals go to a shelter or other adoption agency. Said Woodward to CNN, “You want to make sure that that animal has every (chance), for whatever time it has left, to have the best life possible.” Thought Question: What’s something you care deeply about that you would help protect and why does it matter so much to you? Photo of stray puppies from Unsplash courtesy of Chirag Dulyan.
