44 Dogs Rescued from RV Traveling Through Pennsylvania

An RV traveling through Berks County, Pennsylvania, was found carrying 44 small-breed dogs in cramped and unsanitary conditions on Thursday, according to The Morning Call. Officials with the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Berks County received a tip about the vehicle and stepped in to check on the animals’ welfare.

What they found shocked them. The RV was packed wall-to-wall with mixed-breed terriers. The dogs appeared to belong to the RV’s owner, but the conditions were described as unsafe and unsanitary.

After assessing the situation, the ARL worked with the Pennsylvania SPCA to transfer 38 of the dogs to Main Line Animal Rescue in Chester Springs overnight. The remaining six went into immediate foster care through the ARL.

Ashley Mikulsky, ARL’s CEO, said that while the shelter is equipped to handle emergencies like this, cases of this scale put a heavy strain on staff and resources. The facility in Cumru Township now has fewer than ten open kennels left.

The ARL credited a good Samaritan for alerting them to the RV. Without that call, dozens of dogs might have continued traveling in dangerous conditions. An investigation by ARL’s Department of Animal Protection is ongoing.

Animal welfare groups often rely on public tips and community involvement to identify cases like this. If you ever suspect animals are being neglected or kept in unsafe environments, reach out to your local humane society or animal control office.

How You Can Help

The ARL shared several ways people can make a difference in the days ahead:

• Volunteer: Help with cleaning, laundry, food prep, or other tasks. Sign up at berksarl.org/volunteer.
• Adopt: More than 80 animals are currently waiting for homes. The ARL is hosting a sponsored adoption weekend with Steve Moyer Subaru on October 25. Details and available pets are listed at berksarl.org/pets.
• Donate: The shelter is asking for bath or beach towels and other supplies to support care for the rescued dogs. Donations can be dropped off anytime at their orange shed at 58 Kennel Road or made online at berksarl.org/berksdonates.

Main Line Animal Rescue, which took in most of the dogs, is also accepting donations for supplies at mlar.airdriemedia.com/help-with-supplies.

Featured image used under fair use for news reporting. Screenshot from YouTube video by 6ABC.