06/12/2026
Animal Hoarding.....
Animal hoarding in Virginia is defined as possessing more companion animals than an individual can adequately care for, combined with an inability to recognize this neglect. Under the Code of Virginia, §3.2-6570, individuals who fail to provide adequate food, space, and veterinary care are subject to misdemeanor or felony animal cruelty charges.
It is likely that up to a quarter million animals – 250,000 per year – are victims of hoarders. Between 2012 and 2021, Virginia ranked in the top five U.S. states for animal cruelty offenses, recording a volume of offenses more than double the national average.
Penny is one of those dogs...one of the 250,000...one of the lucky ones. Penny is free from her prison because Animal Control was called to investigate ",a bunch of dogs" in the care of a repeat offender. When they went in the other dogs in the home where attacking Penny. They had bitten her from nose to tail. Her ears are covered in bites as are her feet. Penny was so scared she was brought out on a catch pole by one of the ACOs whike the other ACO tried to keep the other dogs in the home from killing her.
Penny is scared. Who can blame her after all she has been through. At only 2 years old she should be loving life instead of being terrified by it. But there is a gentle sweet nature in Penny that is starting to come out. Little tail wags. Sneaky licks being given to the hands that are petting her. Soaking up all the attention she was denied in the hoarding home. Penny is lucky. She was rescued & has a chance for a real family that will love her forever.
If you suspect someone is hoarding animals or animals are living in less than healthy conditions PLEASE contact your local animal control office. This doesn't have to happen. Dogs like Penny shouldn't need to suffer.
