The Susquehanna SPCA took in a group of small animals from a Delaware County residence Wednesday, Dec. 31, through a collaboration with New York State Police.
Stacie Haynes, the executive director of the SQSPCA, said through the rescue operation, which started at about 10 a.m. at a location she did not disclose, the animal shelter took in three geese, three chickens, five cats, a pig and some domestic rats.
She said some “good Samaritans” reached out Tuesday, Dec. 30, in regards to what they suspected was an “abandonment situation.” She added that there are “no knowns at this point,” and the situation remains under investigation.
“I would very much caution in jumping to any conclusions,” Haynes said.
She added that the SQSPCA called the state police, which, after checking the property Tuesday, “felt compelled” to take further action. Troopers went out with the SQSPCA Wednesday for the rescue. As of Wednesday morning, Haynes said the animals were undergoing medical treatment, and that information would be reported later to the state police for further investigation.
It appeared that nobody was taking care of the animals, Haynes said, though that is only what she suspected. Why or if that might have happened is still unknown, she said, but there was enough concern to ensure the animals were taken care of as soon as possible.
At the time of the rescue, Haynes said nobody was at the residence.
The farm animals, like the pig, the geese and the chickens, are being held at the SQSPCA’s new farm in Middlefield.
“We feel so grateful to be able to be in a position to help these animals,” Haynes said. “Prior we would have still certainly done everything we could to help them, but we would have been really limited, or been putting pigs in dog kennels. To be able to put them in species appropriate housing really means a lot to us.”
At this point, the farm houses three horses, two pigs, seven ducks, 14 goats, three geese and three chickens. The rats will be kept in cages at the shelter, as they are domestic rats and would be treated similarly to a hamster or guinea pig, Haynes said.
No animals remain at the residence as of Wednesday morning. Regarding medical care, Haynes said in a situation like this, the SQSPCA checks things like the animals weights, ears and feet. In the case of the pig, she said veterinarians would need to see what its hooves look like to determine if there is any pain that needs to be addressed.
While she said “every case is different,” typically, the veterinarians would work closely with investigators, who would use the medical information to make any decisions. Dr. Christine Schneider is the SQSPCA’s veterinarian stationed at the farm, and Dr. Jennifer Lukovsky is its companion animal veterinarian.
“We don’t ever jump to conclusions because we only know what we can see, and there is always more to what you can see,” Haynes said. “We take caution. We just know that we are in a position to be able to provide support for the animals that appear to be in need, and that is what our role is.”
State police did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for additional information regarding the case.