Animal Rescuers Pull 30 Dogs, 67 Cats, a Turtle and a Deer from Abuser's Tiny House
Based on a front yard covered in filth and garbage, one could only imagine the disgusting conditions of the inside of a tiny home in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
In a horrific case of hoarding and animal abuse, rescuers discovered nearly 100 animals suffering an existence inside the house.
In March, animal welfare officers attempted to investigate the home on suspicion of animal neglect. But 54-year-old Alexsandria Klochak refused to grant anybody access to her home without a warrant.
Humane officers obtained a warrant and returned with Pennsylvania police on April 12. The offensive smell of decay, feces and urine smacked the officers in the face as they walked through the door.
“Rooms were overpowered with debris, feces, and floors were saturated with urine,” humane officer Andrea Palmer wrote in a criminal complaint. “Floors were covered in urine-soaked paper towels, feces shoved against the walls.”
The 30 dogs and 67 cats shoved into the home all had troubling health conditions, including atrophied muscles and upper respiratory infections. Authorities also found one deer and a box turtle forced to “live” inside the house.
Authorities arrested Klochak, who faces felony charges of animal cruelty and neglect. She was released from jail on a $20,000 bond, and is expected to appear in court on April 20.
Meanwhile, All But Furgotten, a local animal welfare organization, is struggling to stay afloat after the sudden intake of nearly 100 unhealthy animals. Each animal was inspected by a veterinarian, and will remain under the organization’s care during the court proceedings.
“A rescue operation of this proportion can easily wipe out a small organization,” All But Furgotten wrote on social media. “This seizure is going to come at an astronomical expense to our organization.”
In addition to their physical ailments, the animals will also have to recover from the psychological harm of living with daily abuse.
“When people collect a large number of animals like this, they are often locked in cages, leaving them in very poor psychological and physical conditions, with potentially dangerous levels of ammonia,” the organization explained.
All But Furgotten president Melanie Wedge is asking for community members to provide financial assistance to help alleviate the burden of caring for so many sick animals at once. “We are in dire need of monetary donations to provide continued care,” Wedge said.
The organization is fully committed to helping the animals recover. While the road ahead will have its challenges, animals are resilient creatures, and will hopefully be settled into long-term homes as soon as possible.
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