65 Dogs Rescued from Apartment Experience Grass for First Time in Heartwarming Recovery

A Situation Spiraled Out of Control

Margaret Green Animal Rescue, a charity founded in 1965, took in the mix of chihuahuas, dachshunds, and poodles from a property in Newton Abbot, Devon. The owner had become "completely overwhelmed by the number of animals in their care and was struggling to cope," requiring urgent action to get the dogs to safety.

CEO Nigel Mason explained how these situations develop: "People get a dog, they allow it to have puppies, and then it goes on and in the end you end up with 65 dogs and no way of being able to care for those dogs in the right way. But it's sad for everybody involved."

The Scale of the Challenge

Conditions were so severe that staff and volunteers had to use smelling salts. "They're all pretty filthy I have to say," Mason told the BBC, noting that the charity has been working around the clock with volunteers to care for the animals.

The health issues were significant. "They've got some massive worm burdens... in fact so much so we've seen worms coming out of some of the pup's noses which is really unusual," Mason said.

Perhaps most heartbreaking: "I'm not sure that many of them, if any, had ever seen grass."

The Joy of First Experiences

But here's where the story becomes truly uplifting. When the dogs were finally taken outside, their reaction was pure joy.

"We've got some wonderful video of them seeing their first grass and running around like mad things," Mason shared with clear delight.

The transformation has been remarkable. The dogs have undergone health checks and vaccinations at the charity's centers in Tavistock and Wareham, Dorset. Despite what they've been through, Mason stressed that none of the dogs were aggressive.

"They're already showing signs of wanting to say hello to our staff and volunteers," he noted, highlighting the dogs' resilient and trusting nature.

A Brighter Future Ahead

The good news continues: many of the dogs are expected to be ready for rehoming in just a few weeks. Some require round-the-clock care, but the dedicated team at Margaret Green Animal Rescue is committed to preparing each one for their forever home.

Mason told the BBC: "They smell a little better now than they did, that's for sure"—delivered with the gentle humor of someone who knows these dogs are on their way to much better lives.

Not Even Their Largest Rescue

Remarkably, Mason noted that this wasn't even the largest rescue operation his team had handled. "I think 198 dogs in one place was the last one we dealt with last year," he said. "So this by comparison is a lot, but it's not the most."

The comment underscores both the scale of animal welfare challenges in the UK and the incredible work that organizations like Margaret Green Animal Rescue do every day.

How You Can Help

While these specific dogs will soon be ready for adoption through Margaret Green Animal Rescue, there are always ways to support animal welfare:

• Consider adoption: Shelters everywhere have wonderful animals waiting for homes
• Spay/neuter your pets: Prevent situations where breeding spirals out of control
• Support rescue organizations: Donations and volunteer time make rescues like this possible
• Spread awareness: Share stories about responsible pet ownership