ITHACA --
A Central New York animal welfare group is hoping the public will adopt some of the 100 animals rescued from a one-bedroom rural home.
Officials at the Tompkins County SPCA say the rescue of dozens of dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs and chinchillas is straining resources at the Ithaca-based organization's shelter, which was already full when the animals were removed from the home last week.
Investigators say the animals were being kept in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions at a home in Brooktondale, ten miles southeast of Ithaca. Authorities say several dead animals were found on the property.
Officials say the animals were being kept by a person who was a self-scribed "animal rescuer." Investigators haven't released the person's name.
When the SPCA pulled the animals from the home last week, conditions were bad. "The conditions were not appropriate for that amount of animals," says Executive Director Abigail Smith. Now the shelter is home to dozens of homeless cats, dogs, even chinchillas.
On any given day the Tompkins County SPCA can hold 250 animals. With the new additions they are up to 350. Their finances were already strained before the animals came in to the rescue, now they say they're pushing the line. Smith says, "We are facing financial challenges. Significant ones as I think many of us are today. So this comes at a time when we're already strained on the heels of a very bad year."
The SPCA is a "no kill" shelter, and that won't change, no matter how many animals they have. But to ease the burden of all these animals, the agency needs your help. Smith says, "Clean bedding, they need canned cat and dog food. They need towels and blankets, and new homes. As they become available for adoption we're looking for someone to step up and take one home with them."
Investigators won't reveal the name of the person accused of hoarding the animals. Charges are pending. Some of the animals may go up for adoption on Thursday.
Donations can be dropped off at the shelter or made online at www.spcaonline.com.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
