Metro East Humane Society Executive Director Kathy Turner said the facility took in at least 55 animals, all of which officers from the Edwardsville Police Department and agency staff members captured and seized at a house in the first block of Birdie Court in Edwardsville. At least six cats could not be captured because they took refuge within inaccessible areas of the house, and one cat died.
Of the three dogs seized, a Shih Tzu had to be put down due to complications, including matting of its fur so severe that the dog could not walk, Turner said. An Akita and a hound mix were doing well Tuesday after being frightened throughout Monday, she said.
The shelter at 8495 Illinois Route 143 in Edwardsville was full after Humane Society staff helped police gather the animals, beginning about noon Monday when the Police Department issued the warrant for the house on Birdie Court, located behind the Sunset Hills Country Club. The Police Department executed the search in conjunction with the Madison County State's Attorney's Office, as well as the Humane Society.
Community Services Officers, a non-sworn arm of the Police Department, received numerous complaints of alleged code violations relating to animal care and general property maintenance about the home in the Country Club View subdivision, according to a news release issued late Tuesday afternoon by Edwardsville City Administrator Ben Dickmann.
Public Works personnel told the city attorney that the condition of the house was "uninhabitable."
Authorities withheld the name of the resident Tuesday pending the filing of formal charges. Police said they expect that no fewer than two misdemeanors will be alleged.
A spokesperson for the States's Attorney's Office said charges against a woman at the home would come today at the earliest, and that the case was under review.
"The animals' conditions are a wide range," Turner said Tuesday. "There are upper respiratory issues, which we expected. Some kittens are pretty thin, but we think it's because they had to fight for their food, and some are extremely healthy."
While the Humane Society staff still did triage assessment on incoming animals, the veterinarian began close examination of the animals Tuesday.
"They all seem to be very friendly - afraid, but very appreciative of food and water," Turner said.
"They're adjusting, but their overall health is a wide range from extremely healthy to in need of medical attention. A lot of it is grooming; some are urine-soaked."
Although the Metro East Humane Society does not tout the organization as "no-kill," it uses euthanasia only if animals are extremely aggressive or extremely ill, Turner said.
"These animals are definitely going to need homes," she said. "These animals deserve better than this; that's our goal, to make sure they get better."
As of Tuesday afternoon, some animals still remained in the house on Birdie Court because they hid in areas that were inaccessible.
"Those are a little bit more scared, but most were relatively easy to capture and put into a crate," Turner said.
Police and animal control officers set out a number of humane traps to capture the animals and were wrapping up at the Birdie Court location about noon Tuesday.
With the addition of the neglected animals, the facility now has doubled what it considers its capacity for cats. The Metro East Humane Society has received all of the animals from the Edwardsville Police Department.
"If anybody is even thinking about adopting a cat, now is a good time to come look at what we have available to make space for these incoming animals," Turner said. "These animals will not be ready for adoption until after two to three weeks of care."
Turner, who has been the Humane Society's executive director for two years and on its board prior to the position, has been involved with the organization for 10 years. She said she never has seen so many animals seized from one location.
"We've had maybe 10 or 12 animals, but I've never seen to this extent," she said. "It's costing us a fortune."
Turner said the Metro East Humane Society would accept any donations of food, cat litter, bedding or money to help with medications, vaccinations, extra staff hours and veterinary costs. Also, she would accept volunteers to help clean up in the mornings, when extra help is greatly needed.
"We will care for these animals; we would welcome donations to help care for these animals," she said. "We will check them medically. The next step is to clean them up, treat them for upper respiratory conditions and, eventually, they all will go up for adoption."
Turner said people end up with too many animals for different reasons.
"I don't know exactly, but it's a belief that you're doing the right thing for them, that you're saving them," she said. "But when they're allowed to continue to multiply, and live in less than good conditions, it's not a favor to them."
Animals are the victims of such practices, she said.
"We are caring for them as such; it's no fault of their own," she said.
To donate for the care of the animals, call the Metro East Humane Society at (618) 656-4405.
(The Telegraph - October 16, 2012)
