Police were horrified to discover 91 animals living in deplorable conditions on a farm in Laveen, AZ, but with the help of a local luxury pet groomer, they'll be getting a second shot at a happy ending.
The animals found on the farm included donkeys, roosters, and horses, as well as 37 severely neglected dogs, all of whom lived in cramped quarters, were tick-infested, and survived on scraps from leftover pizza boxes.
ABC15 reports that upon discovery, the dogs were given emergency veterinary care and taken to the local sheriff's office, where they are currently being held. Police suspect that some of the neglected dogs were local pets that had gone missing, and that the man who was leasing the farm, Luis Garcia, may be involved in a dogfighting ring. Garcia was arrested for animal cruelty, and the investigation is currently ongoing.
When John Taglairino, owner of The Pet Spaw and Pet Boutique in North Scottsdale, AZ, saw the story on the local news, he called the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and offered to do anything he could to help.
"From what we saw on the news and from what we were told, we thought that these were dogs going to be pit bulls used for fighting," John told LittleThings.com in an EXCLUSIVE interview. "But from the condition of the dogs and the way the dogs were separated, it look more to me like a puppy mill operation. A lot of the dogs were pregnant."
John opened up his spa's services luxury services to 22 lucky pups, all of whom received shampoos, conditions, nail cuts, blow-drys, and even massages from a trained doggie masseuse, free of charge. John's employees were more than happy to volunteer, and local officials drove them down to The Pet Spaw for their special spa day. Because of their skin conditions, John made sure that the animals received the highest quality products and care.
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1. When police discovered the animals on the farm, they found them living in cramped cages and horrible conditions.
2. "It was not a pretty situation, and we thought that it if we could get the dogs more cleaned up and looked like more like they were supposed to, it would help them get adopted," John said to LittleThings.com.
3. After the dogs have finished being investigated for signs of neglect and abuse, they will be processed into a local shelter and be on the path to finding their forever homes. John hopes to be involved in this process as well.
4. The pooches received plenty of pampering, and some of the girls even got some pretty bows in their hair!
- "We’ve talked to MSCO about bringing the dogs up here one weekend and doing the adoptions out of here because we’ve spent time with the dogs, and a lot of people in this area are looking for Shih tzus and poodles and cocker spaniels," John told LittleThings.com
6. "They were all the nicest little dogs with great personalities. There were a couple more timid than others, but they started coming around and doing pretty well."
7. Animal body worker, Kim Drangsland, gave all of the puppies a gentle massage to help them get used to being touched.
8. “These dogs were remarkably calm considering everything they've been through," pet stylist Rachel Torres told ABC15.
8. "There’s other rescues that we do things for including Foothills Animal Rescue and we take care of their dogs periodically who need to be groomed before they find a home," John told LittleThings.com.
10. "Right now we’re working on a charity fashion show, and we've got a dog designer and dressmakers and hopefully some celebrities!"
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