Animal Control officers are hoping animal lovers out there are willing to open their hearts and homes to a group of rescued animals.
More than 40 animals, from ferrets to cats, a few fish and some snakes, where seized from the home of a hoarder in Montville.
It all started when neighbors called complaining about a horrible smell coming from an apartment. When Montville Animal Control officers got there, they never expected to see what they found inside.
Neighbors at the Mountain View Apartments in Montville say before November 17th when the animals were taken from the apartment, the stench was so bad you could smell it three doors away.
Rob Antisdel says he went in before Animal Control officers got here.
“The rooms were just impacted with feces all over the floor, all over the bedding. The animals were just laying in their cages, no food, no water. There were some dying in the cage. There were four of them dead in the cages.
“And all the stench was just overwhelming the entire apartment. I took three steps into it, had to turn around and step back outside and vomit over the side. It was just too unbearable.”
Even now, two weeks later, the smell still lingers. The air conditioner is kept running to try to air the place out.
Across town at the animal shelter some of the animals are being nursed back to health… and adopted out to new homes. Officers say it’s one of the worst cases of animal hoarding in Montville ever.
“There were more than 40 animals found in the apartment ranging from tropical fish to ferrets, rats, guinea pigs, cats, a hamster, a dog, snakes, and a bearded dragon, several birds,” described Chris Martel with Montville Animal Control.
Some were dead. Two others had to be put down.
It’s still unclear whether the man who was keeping all the animals will face charges. Police are not releasing his name and say the case is still under investigation.
“I know that people didn’t intend to harm these animals necessarily,” Chris Martel added. “Unfortunately, they were overwhelmed.”
Animal shelters from all around the region have offered to take in some of the animals. Their goal is to keep as many as possible alive.