Animal Rescue Corps brings more than 70 dogs to safety in Louisiana relief operation

Operation Little Pumpkins helps dogs from cruelty cases and overcrowded shelters across multiple parishes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. , Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national nonprofit animal protection organization, brought more than 70 dogs to its Rescue Center outside Nashville recently during Operation Little Pumpkins, a relief effort involving several separate cruelty cases and overcrowding situations in Louisiana.

The rescued animals included dogs from two recent cruelty cases in Terrebonne Parish, dogs connected to a dogfighting investigation in Concordia Parish and others who simply needed placement as shelters and rescues struggled with overcrowding.

Fourteen small dogs came from the cruelty cases in Terrebonne Parish. While other animals from those cases had already gone to rescue partners, several dogs with skin conditions and other treatable medical needs remained behind and still needed placement.

"These dogs have already been through enough," said Tim Woodward, executive director of Animal Rescue Corps. "They needed somewhere to go, and we had the ability to make room for them. That's what ARC does. We step in where we can and make sure animals get the care they need."

Another dog included in the operation was Stephanie, a small dog who is blind in one eye and needs ongoing eye medication. She had been at risk of euthanasia but now has the chance to receive care and eventually find a home.

ARC also took in several dogs tied to a recent dogfighting investigation in Concordia Parish, including puppies and a pregnant female.

The dogs are now being examined by ARC's veterinary team and settling in at the Rescue Center. Once they are ready, ARC will begin moving them to trusted shelter and rescue partners.

"Louisiana had several different situations piling up at the same time," Woodward said. "For us, the question was simple: Can we help? Because of the people who support ARC, the answer was yes and more than 70 dogs are safer now because of it."

More information about ARC's work and how to support its ongoing rescue efforts is available at animalrescuecorps.org/.

About Animal Rescue Corps

Since 2010, Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), a national animal protection nonprofit organization, has provided large-scale animal rescue for communities that lack resources to address abuse. In addition to emergency rescue, ARC offers education and shelter relief. ARC's mission is to end animal suffering through direct and compassionate action and to inspire the highest ethical standards of humanity towards animals. In 2025, ARC Executive Director Tim Woodward was honored as a CNN Hero and selected as one of five finalists for the CNN Hero of the Year award. To learn more about Animal Rescue Corps, visit animalrescuecorps.org/.

SOURCE Animal Rescue Corps