In June, 2023 we sent two special needs dogs, Checo and Butters, to the Special Needs Animal Welfare League (SNAWL) located in Chandler, Arizona.

On September 8, 2023, Yaqui Animal Rescue traveled from South Texas to Arizona to the home of April Addison McLaughlin, also known as Sydney Taylor McKinley. We had become suspicious of her rescue practices and wanted to assess the well-being of our disabled dogs, Checo and Butters. We entrusted McLaughlin to ?rescue and rehabilitate? our dogs at her special needs animal rescue. She did not.

Our decision to conduct an in-person welfare check on the dogs stemmed from McLaughlin?s repeated refusal to provide updates on our dogs. Upon arriving at her home, what we saw, heard, and smelled as we approached her front door is something we will never forget. The odor was putrid, and it was evident that many deaths had occurred at her residence. We could also hear what sounded like more than 40 dogs barking and screaming for help after we knocked on her door.

On September 22, 2023, April McLaughlin was finally apprehended, and 55 dogs were seized from her residence. Five dead puppies were found frozen in her freezer, next to the food she was feeding her elderly mother. Kennels were stacked 7 feet high, and all dogs were without water. Most were laying in their own feces. They all suffered physical, mental, and emotional abuse at Special Needs Animal Welfare League (SNAWL).

As of now, Yaqui Animal Rescue is awaiting updates regarding the status of Checo and Butters, who are being evaluated by the Arizona Humane Society veterinarians. 100% of profits from t-shirt sales and donations will be used to provide medical and therapeutic treatments to our dogs. Donations will also be used for advocacy and education against animal abuse and neglect. Our fight for animals is just beginning.