Warren County shelter takes hundreds of small animals; 5 dogs found dead

In addition to the more than 300 hamsters, dwarf hamsters and Siamese mice, the humane association found five dead adult Huskies and one still alive. The dead dogs were in the beginning stages of decomposition and weighed between 14 and 18 pounds. The living dog is an adult female who weighed 14 pounds, said Joanne Hurley, humane officer, former shelter director and mother of the current director.

“She is receiving emergency care,” said Hurley, who added that she is expected to recover.

Female Siberian Huskies should weigh between 35 and 50 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club, and males are larger and typically weigh between 45 and 60 pounds.

Hurley said the case against the owner remains under investigation, but that she will be meeting with the prosecutor’s office.

The small animal count was 390 as of 11 a.m. Friday, but it could triple because the females are continuing to give birth, Hurley said.

An out-of-state rescue is expected to take all of the hamsters, but Hurley said the animal shelter will still be stretched acquiring food, cages, bedding material and other necessary equipment for the hundreds remaining.

“We’re just not set up for small animals like that,” she said.

She said the shelter at 230 Cook Road in Lebanon needs donations to help pay for food and equipment, and will accept gently-used cages. The shelter can be reached at homelesspets.org or 513-695-1176.