On April 28, multiple county SPCA and Humane Society teams came together to remove 61 dogs, 11 birds and 3 cats from an uninhabitable home in Chenango County. (Submitted Photo)

NEW BERLIN — On Friday, April 28 in New Berlin, the New York State Police were at a property located on County Road 29, investigating another matter, when they discovered 61 dogs, 11 birds, and three cats, all of which were in questionable health.

Police are investigating the matter.

The condition of the house was deemed inhabitable by Chenango County Codes Department and multiple animal shelters were immediately contacted. Chenango County SPCA, Delaware County Humane Society, Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley, Herkimer County Humane Society, Susquehanna SPCA, and Cortland County SPCA arrived at the property and began the removal process. The SPCA said the animals were surrendered voluntarily by owners.

Chenango SPCA Shelter and Medical Manager Kathy Wyder said, “I was in the home in New Berlin for about three hours, helping with the rescue. I don’t know how many people lived there as I only spoke to one woman.”

“I handled about 50 dogs as the owner handed most of them to me. She knew every dogs name, age, and who got along with who. They were all a nice weight, no bad ears, and all but one was nice with me,” she added.

“We have five adult and four puppies with us. All have been given a bath, vaccinated for distemper and rabies (no rabies shots for the puppies yet), dewormed internally and externally and the adults have been microchipped.

“The oldest three are seeing the vet tomorrow, bad teeth and eyes on all three and a bad leg on one. The three are going to need extensive testing, I’ll be there for the exams and will know more later. I’m hoping the other two adults will be up for adoption next week after they’re spayed but the puppies will be another two weeks,” Wyder said.

Wyder also wanted to assure the community the dogs are adjusting and eating well, already relaxing more and have been doing well on a leash. She said they are all very sweet dogs.

Delaware Valley Humane Society Director Erin Insinga said, “We took in 12 mature dogs in need of dental care plus three cats. Teamwork made this horrendous rescue a bit more tolerable. Please do not inquire or apply for any of the dogs yet as they need time to decompress. Some haven’t seen the light of day in a long time.”

According to Susquehanna SPCA social media page, many thanks were given to the teams who came to help and especially to the Otsego County Office of Emergency Services in Otsego County. Without them, the rescue would not have been done.

Wyder said, “Lastly, a huge thank you to Susquehanna SPCA, Delaware Valley Humane Society, Cortland County SPCA, New Berlin Police/CO, and our shelter staff on the scene and those who prepared the shelter for our ‘new kids.’”

“People can use the link secure.qgiv.com/for/secondchancefund to donate, mail in a check with Pug in the note section, call with a credit card or stop in to make a donation,” she added.

To donate to any shelter agencies, visit them on their Facebook page and click on links provided.

A law passed in New York in May of 2022 giving all shelters standards to follow in order to ensure all abandoned and surrendered animals are taken care of with quality housing, health care and food.