In the early hours of August 10, the Woodbridge Police Department in Connecticut received a call that prompted a large-scale animal rescue operation across multiple agencies and areas.

At 5 a.m. officers were alerted to a local resident attempting to surrender 14 dogs at the government-run Woodbridge Regional Animal Control shelter, but when they arrived at the scene, things were worse than expected.

Outside the shelter, 20 dogs were discovered crammed into just five cages, all in a terrible condition. Further investigation at the resident’s address uncovered more animals at the home, leading to the rescue of 23 dogs, 20 cats and kittens, seven bunnies, and one guinea pig.

In 2023, 6.5 million animals entered U.S. shelters, according to Shelter Animals Count, up 4 percent when compared to 2022 intakes. At the end of 2023, 117,000 additional dogs and cats were in the animal sheltering system compared to the same time the year before.

The situation quickly overwhelmed the Woodbridge Regional Animal Control, which was already operating at full capacity. Thankfully, both the community and neighboring animal control and rescue organizations in Branford, East Haven, and North Haven stepped in.

North Haven Animal Control, East Haven Animal Shelter, and Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter helped to provide care and shelter for the animals, while other organizations, including Halfway Home Rescue Inc., Perfect Imperfections, One More Dog Rescue, and Westley’s Wish K9 Rescue, are supporting Woodbridge Regional Animal Control.