A Cincinnati animal shelter is seeking the community's help after around 150 animals were taken from a residence in the city's Westwood neighborhood, marking the biggest seizure and animal rescue in the organization's history.
The situation involved cats and dogs, as well as "rats, rabbits, reptiles, chickens, a goose, and a turkey," per Spectrum News 1.
Here's what to know
Hamilton County's only open-intake shelter, Cincinnati Animal CARE, said the response began after an anonymous report raised concerns about conditions at the home, as Spectrum News 1 reported.
Local wardens said the case proved larger than expected once they reached the property, where they found far more animals than had been reported and saw living conditions they viewed as an immediate concern for both the animals and the people in the home, per Spectrum News 1.
In a Facebook update, the shelter wrote, "On the evening of Wednesday, August 12th, approximately 150 animals entered our care… Our team is working around the clock to evaluate each animal's needs and provide critical care. As we respond to this unprecedented situation, community support is essential to help us continue this lifesaving work."
Cincinnati Animal CARE added that, "This is the beginning of a long road, and these animals will need our community every step of the way."
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The shelter is specifically asking for financial support, donations of medicines, bedding, food, and pet supplies. Beyond donations, Cincinnati Animal CARE is requesting community members adopt or foster an animal in its care.
More background
While the investigation is still underway, the immediate focus is on evaluating the animals and getting them into a safer environment.
Officials described the house they were rescued from as heavily cluttered, with debris, fecal matter, and animals kept in countless stacked cages. The shelter is now checking each animal individually and watching for health concerns such as fleas, mites, and upper respiratory illness.
Open-intake shelters cannot simply turn animals away during emergencies. A seizure of this size can put immediate pressure on shelter space, staffing, cleaning needs, and veterinary resources.
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