Animals removed from filthy conditions inside Helmetta animal shelter

HELMETTA, N.J. (WABC) -- Officials raided an animal shelter in New Jersey because of concerns over the conditions the animals were kept in.

The SPCA paid a surprise visit to the shelter in Helmetta, in Middlesex County and took away some animals.

A photo shows what animal activists are calling deplorable conditions. They describe cats and dogs living in filthy cages. The animals were apparently in worse shape once inside the facility than they were when they were brought into the Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter.

"We've pulled hundreds of cats from here and we will, once it's open again, continue to rescue cats from here," said Jackie Callan, of the Homeless Animal Lifeline.

Video shows one of the animals being transported away Thursday morning as authorities conducted a raid on the shelter. The facility had been cited back in August and inspectors returned to find little had changed.

"Disease control is basically nonexistent in this facility, and healthy animals are becoming unhealthy, and sickness just transfers just back and forth, so there's just a lot of sick animals in that building," said Rick Yocum, President of the NJ SPCA.

The facility is now under quarantine, meaning no one is allowed to drop off or pick up any animals until they are deemed disease free by a veterinarian.

"There are about 230 animals still in the facility, each one will be looked at by a veterinarian over the next 24 hours, each one needs to be looked at," said Frank Rizzo, the SPCA chief.

Activists describe cats being found dead or near death inside of cages. One animal supporter became aware of the horrendous conditions inside the animal shelter after adopting a dog earlier this year.

"I had the puppy three hours and I knew something was wrong, it had to have a blood transfusion, it had four different types of worms, it was six weeks old and they told me it was nine weeks old," said Colleen Wronko, of the Reform Helmetta Regional Animal Group.

One cat had to be euthanized, another cat died on the way to the veterinary hospital, and two other animals also had to be taken to the veterinary hospital.