Ep 17. Never Give Up Hope

Animal Precinct is a documentary television series that follows the work of the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Division in their fight against animal cruelty and neglect in New York City. In season 6, episode 17 entitled "Never Give Up Hope," viewers meet a team of animal welfare agents as they investigate allegations of animal hoarding and neglect in a Queens neighborhood.

The episode begins with the team receiving a report of a large number of cats being kept in a filthy, overcrowded home. Animal welfare agent Cathy Rosenthal heads to the scene and is greeted by an overwhelming stench and an alarming sight of feces and urine covering the floors and walls. Rosenthal is joined by veterinarian Dr. Emily Dong, who quickly assesses the cats' health and finds many suffering from upper respiratory infections, dental problems, and other illnesses due to poor living conditions.

Rosenthal and Dong work tirelessly to remove the cats, which proves to be a challenging task due to the cramped living space and the animals' stress and aggression. The team carefully packs the cats into carriers and transports them to the ASPCA Animal Hospital for medical treatment and further evaluation. The cats are given medical attention, food, and clean litter boxes, and they begin to show signs of improvement.

Meanwhile, animal welfare agents Brian Brick and Janette Suero are investigating a case of a neglected dog in the Bronx. They arrive at a home to find a young male pit bull chained up outside with no food, water, or shelter. The dog is severely emaciated and covered in sores, and it is clear that the animal has been suffering for quite some time. Brick and Suero quickly take the dog to the ASPCA, where he is examined by veterinarians and treated for dehydration and malnutrition.

Back in Queens, Rosenthal and Dong continue to care for the rescued cats, which have now exceeded 100 in number. A few of the cats require extensive medical attention, including surgeries to remove infected teeth and tumor masses. Despite the overwhelming amount of work, the team remains dedicated to nursing all of the cats back to health and finding them permanent homes.

Meanwhile, Brick and Suero work on an investigation of a severely neglected dog in Washington Heights. They find an emaciated female pit bull locked in a cage outside a residence, with no food, water, or protection from the elements. The dog is in a critical condition, with open wounds and anemia. The team takes the dog to the ASPCA, where she is given medical care and placed on a feeding regimen to slowly regain her strength.

Throughout the episode, viewers witness the determination of the animal welfare agents and the compassionate care they provide to the animals in their custody. The agents work to not only rescue the animals from poor conditions but to also rehabilitate them to a healthy state and find them loving homes. The episode serves as a reminder of the hard work and dedication of those who fight for animal welfare, and ultimately shines a light on the resiliency of animals in overcoming adversity.