Dozens Of Animals In Need Of Loving Homes Following Horrific Hoarding Cases In New Jersey
OAKLAND, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A local animal shelter is crying for help after multiple situations have left the facility overwhelmed.
Four hoarding cases in less than five months have left 45 dogs and cats in need of extra care and shelter, CBS2's Meg Baker reported.
"Just in the past few weeks we had more than 276 animals in Howell in hoarding situations. This past weekend in lake Hopatcong we had another 50 animals there in desperate need of assistance," Kevin Shippy, executive director of Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, said.
Shippy said the incidents are horrific. Sherwood, a lab mix, was one of the worst after getting picked on by other dogs. He was in need of stitches and emergency care.
"We immediately responded getting shots, spade, neutered and encourage everyone to pay a visit. Why not add to the family?" he said.
Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Board President Arlene Jurovitsky is calling this situation a disaster.
"It's a strain in terms of finding decent accommodations for them and a strain on foster network as well as cost of veterinary care," she said.
Because of the hoarding situation, the director said many of these dogs never felt grass beneath their paws before.
"They're unfamiliar with walking on a leash, need an awful lot of training," Shippy said.
Some have already found forever homes.
"It's critical that we find these situations where these animals are being kept in dire circumstances," Jurovitsky said.
The team at the shelter said many of the animals came in scared and skiddish, but have slowly warmed up and are ready for a loving home. If you can't adopt but want to help, the shelter is always looking for donation of money, dog food, and cleaning materials.
