Join

Old Dominion Humane Society Rescues 22 Dogs from Kentucky Hoarding Case

Volunteers with Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS), just outside Fredericksburg, care for 22 dogs rescued from hoarding in Lawrence County, Kentucky. The animals had been living in deplorable outdoor conditions.

The rescue, which occurred on March 20, was part of a coordinated effort between ODHS and Squishy Face Crew (SFC), a Fredericksburg-based foster-focused rescue group. The ODHS team made a nine-hour round trip to meet a transport team in Beckley, West Virginia, and bring the dogs to safety.

Initially, 70 dogs lived on the property. However, a flood drowned most of them. Only 22 survived—ranging in age from two and a half weeks to eight years—and were surrendered by the property owner. ODHS volunteers took in 15, while SFC cared for the remaining seven.

Upon intake, ODHS found the dogs in deplorable condition. “Their nails were extremely long, and they were covered in dirt and feces,” said ODHS volunteer spokesperson Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy. “They were understandably scared, but they’re slowly beginning to come around with the help of our volunteers.”

One of the youngest rescues, a two-and-a-half-week-old puppy named Neville, is still nursing with his mother, who also survived the ordeal. She is the oldest dog rescued, at eight years old, and is blind in one eye.

So far, six of the dogs have been placed into foster homes. The organization seeks foster care for the remaining dogs as they recover and begin their journey toward adoption.

“These are the situations that break your heart,” said Anna Swann, a longtime ODHS volunteer who led the transport team. “We’re giving them the chance to live the lives they deserve, in warm homes with people who love them.”

Despite the horrific conditions, no legal charges were filed against the person responsible for the hoarding. “Because the owner agreed to surrender the dogs, no legal consequences were pursued,” Kruk-Mullanaphy explained. “Often shelters will offer the option to surrender in lieu of pressing charges. While that’s frustrating, pursuing legal action in large cases like this can overwhelm shelters and lead to mass euthanasia due to space and legal holding time.”

ODHS is entirely volunteer-run and operates with the support of more than 300 fosters. The organization is located at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard near Fredericksburg, and holds adoption events weekly:

  • Wednesdays: 5–7 p.m.
  • Fridays: 6–8 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Sundays: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Advance applications are encouraged and take priority over walk-ins.

To learn more about adopting, fostering, donating, or volunteering, visit olddominionhumanesociety.org.

Recent Stories

A group of curious and creative 10-year-olds is spending the summer building robots, learning to code, and discovering new passions at a hands-on STEM camp in Prince William County.

Two teenagers are in custody, charged with murder after a 19-year-old man was shot and killed Tuesday night at the England Run Apartments in South Stafford.

FOX 5 DC is heading back to Stafford County for another installment of its popular Zip Trip morning show series. The live broadcast will take place on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 7 to 11 a.m. at Embrey Mill Town Center.

A late-night fire engulfed a home near Garrisonville Road, displacing 12 residents and damaging two nearby structures, according to Stafford County Fire and Rescue.

The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!

Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.

Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!

Submit your own Community Post here.

Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.

“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”

As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Christmas in July

Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket

Your Weight Matters National Convention

Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.

This unique Convention truly has something

×

Subscribe to our mailing list