HAVA was tipped off to an animal hoarding situation in Raymond on October 13. This case involved over a hundred animals. Rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, chickens, ducks, geese and more all trying to survive in cages while not receiving enough care to stay healthy.
"HAVA received an anonymous email reporting a hoarding/neglect situation," said HAVA Director Dee Roberts. "I reported it to the sheriff's office. Not long after I reported, I received a call back from Pacific County Dispatch asking for HAVA to respond as soon as possible. I called two of our volunteers and asked them to drop everything, go to the shelter, and get as many carriers as we had available as well as several other volunteers, and head to the address that was given in the email."
When the volunteers arrived there was a deputy on site. The HAVA volunteers took possession of many of the animals. "Right now the animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, and birds) that we were allowed to take are being cared for in various locations," continued Roberts. After receiving an emergency agreement with the Pacific County Fairgrounds, the rabbits are being housed at the fairgrounds. The guinea pigs, birds, and cats are in foster care.
"All of the animals have or are in the process of receiving vet care," Roberts said. "The cats and rabbits have been the ones that have been the sickest at this point."
Currently, HAVA is still waiting to collect the rest of the animals and need a court order. "I have been in contact with the prosecutor's office as well as Deputy Eastham," stated Robers. "I have provided Deputy Eastham with witness statements, vet records, and videos. HAVA will continue to provide information to him as we get it."
HAVA is in need of volunteers to help with the care of the rabbits at the fairgrounds. Call (480) 678-3492 if you can help. HAVA respectfully requests that you do not just show up at the fairgrounds, but to contact them first.
Another way to help is if you can donate some money to HAVA for the extra expenses incurred by the rescue. To make a donation visit their website at www.hava-heart.org or mail a check to HAVA, PO Box 243, Raymond, WA 98577.
"We have no idea how long this will last or if we will get the other animals, but I can tell you that we are in this for the long haul," said Roberts. "We will not turn our back on those animals no matter what."