More than 145 dogs seized in an Etowah County hoarding raid will now get a second shot at life.

Hoarding is a condition where people keep multiple animals in close quarters, usually their homes.  Animals are often found starving, neglected and covered in waste.

As dog rescuer Tammy Owen and her volunteers unload their first shipment of the day, they give new hope to 50 small pups lucky to be alive.

"For us in a small town, this is a tragedy," Owen said.  "This is an emergency situation taking in this many dogs at one time. These are very deserving little dogs and they need a second change to find a good home."

The dogs come from a house where animal control discovered 147 living inside trampling over one another.  They were cramped so closely,  they made room atop appliances.

"This is from being in their own waste, the staining and discoloration," Owen says showing off a once white dog now turned brown.

It is all hands on deck getting the dogs bathed, treated and ready for a new home.  They are also making sure the already big bunch does not multiply.

"Those are all girls! They'll go in the bigger pen," a volunteer yells out.

"The more we can adopt out the more we can possibly help," Owen said.

That is because another 97 dogs from the house sit on standby waiting to get into a shelter where someone can adopt them.  dogs that no one takes home will die.

"They don't need to be euthanized," Owen said emphatically.  "They need to find a new home."

About 250,000 animals a year become victims of hoarding, according to the humane society.

If you would like to adopt one of the dogs, you can apply online at www.toybreedrescue.org.  You can also call the Southern Shih Tzu Rescue at 256-343-3392.