POQUOSON, Va. - Eighty-eight animals were seized last week from two Poquoson homes. Of those 88, 15 dogs have had to be euthanized due to poor medical condition.
The owners have surrendered 55 animals to the city of Newport News. The surrendered animals include 42 dogs, 6 cats, 6 hamsters and 1 guinea pig.
According to court documents, the animals' owners asked to keep 18 of the animals. The remaining animals, 14 dogs and 4 cats, are on hold pending a court hearing on August 10.
Charges are still pending against the owners.
The 73 remaining animals from the seizure are currently under the care of the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter and other local shelters. Many of the animals have medical issues due to the lack of proper veterinary care.
“A lot of the local shelters are working to help get their animals adopted or into foster care, so that way they can help take in animals from our population,” said Tiffany Webb with Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter.
The Heritage Humane Society, Chesapeake Humane Society, Portsmouth Humane Society, Virginia Beach SPCA, and Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center are partnering with the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter to help. With most shelters being at or past capacity, taking in dozens of additional animals has been challenging.
“We’re stressed, we’re really feeling the pressure of overcrowding at the shelter with all the animals that we have," said Webb
Of the animals that were surrendered, once they are healthy they will be up for adoption. In the meantime, the shelter is asking for people to adopt or foster their current shelter animals.
“It’s just a really rewarding experience," Webb said.
They also need donations of items like towels, bedding, sheets, puppy pads, newspapers, cat and dog treats and toys. Those items can be dropped off at the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter located at 5843 Jefferson Avenue in Newport News.