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The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society in Menands is urgently seeking monetary donations after rescuing dozens of neglected animals from a property in Westerlo earlier this month. The rescue operation, conducted with the Albany County Sheriff's Office and the Albany Police Department's Mounted Unit, involved over 40 animals, including 22 dogs, 15 horses, and a cow. The animals were found in dire conditions, lacking food and water, and surrounded by waste.
The shelter describes this as one of the most serious and costly rescues they have undertaken. The estimated cost of caring for these animals is around $50,000 per month, which poses a significant financial burden on the nonprofit's operating budget. According to Times Union, the animals are considered evidence in an ongoing legal case against their owner, Tanja Morse, who faces multiple charges of animal cruelty. This is not Morse's first encounter with the law; she has been accused of similar offenses in the past, including the neglect of over 100 animals in 2017.
The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society is calling on the community to help support the animals' recovery by donating through their website. The organization emphasizes the urgent need for funds to cover veterinary care, proper nutrition, and safe shelter for the rescued animals.
Sheriff Craig Apple, who was involved in the rescue, described the conditions as appalling, with animals living in unsanitary pens without access to food or water. He hopes for a tough punishment for Morse to prevent future incidents.
The shelter's director of marketing and communications, Marguerite Pearson, stressed the importance of community support, saying, "We're hoping the community will support us and create a brighter future for these animals."