‘Incredibly proud.’ Centre County commissioners recognize PAWS after rescue of 43 dogs
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- Centre County PAWS and humane officers rescued 43 dogs from a hoarding emergency.
- All 43 dogs were placed in foster homes after initial medical assessments.
- Commissioners pledged $1,000 donation to the nonprofit.
The Centre County Commissioners lauded the county’s largest no-kill animal shelter Tuesday for its response to a recent dog hoarding emergency that saw the nonprofit, the county’s humane officers and local community members work together to help dozens of dogs rescued from a single home.
Centre County PAWS Executive Director Lisa Bahr said that 43 dogs in total were picked up from the home. The homeowner surrendered six at a visit on March 13, and 37 more were taken in a week later, after county humane officer Mark Rusnak gained a search warrant for the home following a forensic exam of the initial dogs.
Fifteen of the 43 dogs were puppies, spread across what Bahr thought to be three different litters.
After receiving the dogs, PAWS issued a plea to the community for help. The nonprofit asked for donations of money and items like paper towels, pill pockets, peanut butter and more, as well as foster homes that would be able to offer quiet, supportive environments for the dogs.
About a week and a half after the emergency intake, Bahr told the commissioners that every dog went to a foster home, and that the community also stepped up with donations. Commissioner Mark Higgins noted that area residents had collectively donated “a couple thousand dollars” to the nonprofit.
“We’re very proud of our team — all 43 of those dogs went to foster homes, and are currently in foster homes,” Bahr said. “We appreciate the recognition, and more broadly than that, we really appreciate that position of humane society police officer was created, thanks in very large part to [the commissioners’] efforts.”
The county’s first full-time humane officer to work out of the Centre County Sheriff’s Department, Rusnak, started in August 2024. A second officer, Deputy Devan Stoner, was added earlier this month.
Without the creation of those positions, saving all 43 dogs “absolutely would not have been possible,” Bahr said.
The animal hoarding case remains under investigation.
“This was a really dramatic and heartbreaking kind of situation with the number of those dogs that were in that home and the condition they were in,” Commissioner Amber Concepcion added. “Getting them into homes so quickly is really impressive and speaks to the generosity of our community in meeting those needs.”
When the dogs were picked up, the majority arrived in poor health, covered in urine and fecal matter. Additionally, the dogs had received veterinary care, and lacked much socialization.
Every dog received an immediate medical assessment by the staff veterinarian in addition to core vaccinations, microchips and bathing, Bahr said. The dogs are also in the process of getting spayed and neutered, through a collaboration between PAWS and the Clearfield County-based Allegheny Spay and Neuter Clinic.
“I believe there are 10 [dogs] today that are off being spayed and neutered,” Bahr said. “We should be able to get all of the dogs that are medically cleared to be spayed and neutered this week, they will get done.”
In addition to recognizing PAWS, the commissioners pledged to donate $1,000 to the nonprofit to offset expenses incurred from the event.
“You, at a moment’s notice, picked the ball up and ran it down the field, and protected a lot of animals that otherwise probably would’ve had an unseemly demise,” Commissioner Steve Dershem said. “I know all three commissioners and a lot of folks — whether they in the [District Attorney’s] office or our criminal justice planning department, are so incredibly proud that we can partner with PAWS to make a difference in our community, and you certainly have.”
Bahr said that if anyone has an animal hoarding situation and isn’t sure how to handle it, or if they know someone has that sort of situation, they should reach out to their local humane society or local shelters and ask for help with getting their animals fixed, or even re-homed, if necessary.
PAWS can be reached at 814-237-8722 or mail@centrecountypaws.org, or by visiting the nonprofit at 1401 Trout Road. Centre County’s humane officers can be reached by calling the county’s sheriff’s office at 814-355-6803, extension 7, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.