JASPER COUNTY, SC — An already overcrowded animal shelter is making progress after 37 dogs were found living in a single recreational vehicle.
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Jasper County Animal Services said 21 of the dogs have been placed with rescue partners, but 16 still need placement.
The shelter spent much of the day coordinating transports, making phone calls and working to find help for the animals after receiving the initial call about the dogs.
“We are down to 16 dogs!!” the shelter announced in an updated social media post.
The progress came with help from rescue organizations, including Raskel’s Rescue and PAL, which the shelter publicly thanked for stepping up during the emergency.
The shelter also expressed appreciation for other rescue organizations working behind the scenes to find placement for the remaining dogs.
However, the situation remains challenging because the shelter was already over capacity before the 37 dogs were discovered living in the RV.
“We are celebrating the progress, [but] we are definitely not out of the woods yet!” the shelter wrote.
Jasper County Animal Services shared photos from the property to show the conditions in which the dogs had been living. The shelter cautioned that some of the images may be difficult to see.
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“These dogs have not been living in ideal conditions, and the pictures reflect that reality,” the shelter wrote.
The shelter stated that the photos represent an opportunity for the animals to begin a better chapter in their lives.
“These photos are not the end of their stories. They are the beginning of something better,” the post said.
While 21 dogs are already on their way to what the shelter says are better circumstances, staff members continue working to find placements for the remaining 16.
The shelter is asking the public to continue sharing its posts, contacting rescue organizations and spreading the word to anyone who may be able to help.
Jasper County Animal Services also thanked everyone who has offered assistance or encouraged the staff during the process.
“37 dogs. 21 placed. 16 to go,” the shelter wrote. “We’ve got this. Well… with a LOT of help, we’ve got this!”
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