Woman who helped save 47 dogs at Ontario home says rescue agencies stretched to limit

Warning: This story contains distressing details.

The woman who helped organize the rescue earlier this month of more than 45 dogs after they were found in deplorable conditions at a home in Burford Ont., hopes to raise $30,000 to help organizations cover the costs of caring for the animals.

Cassia Bryden, who works part time with Hillside Kennel Animal Control, was the first person to respond to the home after receiving a call at 3 a.m. ET. 

Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that officers were called to the rural residential location by Brant County EMS to investigate a sudden death, and found the animals in horrific conditions and in a distressed state. The man's death was not considered suspicious, police said.

Bryden, also the founder of Sato Saved End of the Line Dog Rescue and Rehabilitation, said she reached out to other rescue organizations through Facebook last week to see who could help. 

It took the combined effort of several groups to see the dogs to safety.

"The situation was very dire and very desperate, and unfortunately, a lot of the humane societies around here, they just don't have the space," she told CBC News.

Bryden connected with rescue organizations as far north as Sudbury that were willing to take in some of the animals, including Hillside Kennel Animal Control, which has 10 dogs in it care.

In addition to the 47 dogs rescued, Bryden said, Hillside removed two cats and a turtle from the home and will return to rescue another seven dogs and a cat.

Bryden said money raised in the fundraiser will go to every rescue organization that stepped up to help cover vaccines, spaying and neutering of the animals, parasite prevention, tick medication and deworming.

"A spay on a mature dog can be $500 or $600 per dog depending on the vet, and how quickly they can get a vet is another big deal," she said.

"Some of these organizations have the money and only took a few dogs and they don't really need the help, but some of us, like Sato Saved, is a small rescue and I've never taken on anything like this."

The money will also go toward getting the dogs sweaters and comfortable beds.

"All of them have sores for laying in their feces and a lot of them are going to need sweaters because they won't have hair and it's getting chilly."

Overwhelming community support

Bryden has so far raised over $17,000, and says she has received an overwhelming amount of support from the community. 

"I've been getting Amazon boxes on my porch every day. I showed up the other day and there was 31 boxes on my front porch, and it was like Christmas and I just started crying," she said.

"With all of this community support, it has been incredible because now I know for sure that all of these dogs are going to have the chance they deserve."

Hillside Kennel Animal Control has also felt the support from the community. Co-owner Maddy Riddell said they have received large donations of dog food and shampoos.

"The public has been so great to Cassia's rescue and been great with us," Riddell said.

She said they have been working with the dogs they took in — mainly shepherd and labrador breeds — to try to help them feel comfortable, but Riddell said it will take time.

"They're very scared and they have have to learn to trust again," she said. "It doesn't happen overnight. It can take months to rehabilitate."

Through her own rescue, Bryden also took in five dogs, ones needing more support and rehabilitation.

She said one puppy will be with her for at least six months until she feels confident she's ready to be fostered or adopted.