WVC shelter processing animals, seeking donations after over 100 dogs recovered from Taylorsville home

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WEST VALLEY CITY — Animal shelter workers are dealing with a massive influx of canines and are asking for donations after law enforcement officials recovered more than 100 dogs that were living in a Taylorsville home.

Officials found 68 dogs on Thursday in the house, near 5705 S. Easton Street, according to Dave Moss, animal services director for West Valley City Animal Shelter. They recovered another 32 on Friday, and they set traps overnight to capture six more dogs from inside the house, Moss said.

Most of the dogs are chihuahuas or other smaller breeds such as terriers. By Saturday, animal shelter officials were working to categorize the dogs into different groups based on their individual needs, he said.

“Ultimately, we want them all to be classified as ready to adopt,” he said in a Saturday email.

Most of the dogs are in fair or good health, but there are a few who are not, and those dogs are being treated, he said. None of the dogs were suffering from malnutrition, but some hadn’t been cared for very well and now have claws that were too long or teeth that are rotting, Moss added.

At least one dog was pregnant and was being monitored, Moss said.

The West Valley City Animal Shelter, located at 4522 West 3500 South, is housing the dogs in 25 to 30 kennels with multiple animals so they can socialize and be more comfortable together, Moss said. The animal shelters in South Jordan, West Jordan and South Salt Lake were helping the shelter manage the animals, and rescue groups Best Friends and MidValley Animal Clinic also have offered help, he added.

None of the animals had been adopted as of Saturday. Officials want to spend more time with the dogs so they can be sure not to let someone adopt a dog that is showing signs of aggressiveness, Moss said.

People can drop off food or donate money to the shelter’s animal welfare fund, Moss said. The shelter is always in need of wet dog food, paper towels and blankets, he said.

“So in a case like this, it puts additional strain on our resources,” Moss said. “So, yes, we could use some additional help during this time.”

For more information, visit the West Valley City Animal Shelter website at www.wvc-ut.gov/17/Animal-Services or call 801-965-5800.