Twenty-one dogs were found dead at Anastasia’s Acres Dog Boarding Facility in Argyle, New York.

Another was found alive, barely, and rushed to emergency veterinary care. The cause of death remains unknown—but what’s clear is that something went terribly wrong.

This should never happen—not at a place entrusted with the care of family pets.

As of now, investigators say the facility’s owners are cooperating. But pet owners across New York—and the nation—deserve full transparency, real accountability, and stronger oversight to ensure this can never happen again.

We, the undersigned, are calling on:

• The Washington County Sheriff’s Office to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these animals and release the findings to the public;
• New York State’s Department of Agriculture & Markets, which oversees kennel and boarding licensing, to audit the facility and its inspection history;
• The New York State Legislature to strengthen regulations and inspections of commercial boarding facilities to protect pets and hold negligent operators accountable.

For many of us, pets are family. We leave them in the care of boarding facilities with trust—trust that they’ll be safe, healthy, and well cared for. When that trust is broken in such a devastating way, there must be consequences.