Eighty-one pets that were rescued from an Arizona animal hoarder arrived in Denver early Friday morning.
On March 23, 200 dogs, 26 cats, two geese and one pig were removed from a 40-acre property in eastern Arizona, according to the Denver Dumb Friends League.
The Humane Society of the United States helped the Apache County Sheriff’s Office remove the animals from the property.
Most of the dogs removed from the property are hounds, shepherds, huskies and retrievers. The dogs were living in dilapidated outdoor pens filled with feces. Several dogs had open wounds, mange, malnourishment and matted coats.
All the animals were taken to an emergency shelter in St. Johns, Ariz., where they were treated by veterinarians.
Investigators learned that the animals’ owner, Mary Port, 86, previously lived in Simla and ran the Colorado Animal Refuge. She faces animal-cruelty charges.
Port left Colorado after she was issued a cease-and-desist order demanding that she provide proper care and sanitary living conditions for the animals on her property.
The 81 animals were at the Dumb Friends League, at 2080 S. Quebec St., which will distribute some to other shelters.
The Dumb Friends League will hold 32 dogs; the Humane Society of Boulder Valley will take 12 dogs and six cats; the Longmont Humane Society will receive three dogs; the Larimer Humane Society will take eight dogs; and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region will get 20 dogs.
Some animals may be available for adoption next week, but many may need in-shelter training or foster care for socialization.
The Dumb Friends League is offering $50 adoption fees for all cats and dogs through June 30.
Meanwhile, in El Paso County, officials announced that 64 dogs and puppies were rescued Tuesday after an animal-cruelty investigation.
The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office searched a property east of Colorado Springs.
Officers discovered horses, fowl, pigs and dogs living in feces and surrounded by garbage. The animals had little food and water, and many needed medical care.
