Moving distressed animals from unsafe, unsanitary and cruel conditions to the safety of a temporary shelter is a massive logistic challenge that has to be done with care and speed.

When the ASPCA rescues canines from dog fighting, hoarding and other disasters, we assess each animal's behavior. This helps us determine what's best for them and how we can effectively address any issues.

Animals rescued from cruelty or a natural disaster must be evaluated immediately by an ASPCA veterinary team to assess their overall condition and lay out a treatment plan.

The ASPCA Field Investigations and Response (FIR) Team deploy nationwide to help rescue animals from abusive situations, such as hoarding and puppy mills.