Animals From Brick Hoarding Turned Over To Ocean County, Clearing Way For Adoptions

BRICK, NJ — For the more than 180 dogs and cats rescued from feces-encrusted crates and cages in a Brick Township home, the promise of a happy future is getting closer.

The Ocean County Health Department has officially received ownership of the animals that were removed from the home, the site of Crazy Rescue Ladies, over the course of 10 hours on Friday night and Saturday morning, officials announced Wednesday.

The animals were transferred on Tuesday by the Brick Township Police Department, officials said, referring to the home as "an illegal kennel." It allows the county shelters to begin the process of preparing them for adoption to the public or rescue groups.

"We were very pleased to receive the transfer from Brick Humane Law Enforcement Officer Scott Smith last evening," said Daniel Regenye, the county's public health officer.

"Over the next several days our staff will continue to work tirelessly to prepare these cats and dogs for adoption," he said. There are nearly 180 animals under the care of the Ocean County Animal Facilities, and many came in scared, shy, thirsty and hungry, but most of all, filthy, he said.

"Most of these animals were forced to live in cages filled with their own feces, urine and other garbage," officials said. "The odor was unimaginable and one of the first tasks was to clean and bathe the dogs and cats."

"It was an all-hands-on-deck situation and we are grateful to the OCHD staff that answered the call by stepping up and working on scheduled days off, planned vacation days and many hours of overtime," Regenye said. "Employees from departments separate from the shelter also offered their assistance throughout the week working in a variety of different roles."

Aimee J. Lonczak, 49, and Michele Nycz, 58, are being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on charges of animal cruelty and endangering the welfare of a child. Both women are scheduled for a detention hearing Thursday afternoon before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, at which time the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is expected to ask that they be held until trial, a spokesman said.

Once the animals receive a cursory veterinarian exam and age-appropriate vaccines, and are spayed or neutered and microchipped, then the pets can start to be made available for adoption at the Southern and Northern Ocean County Animal facilities, said Brian Lippai, spokesman for the county health department.

The Barnegat facility, which is an emergency space, will not be handling any adoptions, Lippai said.

The health department has implemented its public health call center in response to this animal hoarding case to handle the volume of cars. Health educators are available 8 a.m. –4:30 p.m. at 732-341-9700, ext. 7411.

There have been a number of inquiries about animals believed to have been in the home on Arrowhead Park Drive — some that had been placed with Lonczak by other groups, some that been adopted and reportedly reclaimed by Lonczak.

Lippai said the animals are being scanned for microchips. In cases where the chips have owner information available, officials will be contacting the former owners.

"We’ve had some people inquire and we encourage others to do the same," Lippai said.

Anyone with questions about a specific animal should contact the health department at the call center from 8 a.m. –4:30 p.m. at 732-341-9700, ext. 7411. If you did not register your pet's chip and you can provide the number, have that information available.

People who have adopted pets — whether from Crazy Rescue Ladies or any other shelter or rescue — are reminded they as the owners must register the microchip in their name as the owner. Microchips with proper registrations have resulted in the reuniting of owners and pets even years after they became separated.

For those interested in adopting one of these animals, there is more information regarding the adoption process on the Ocean County Health Department website.

Regenye said the shelters are grateful for "the overwhelming kindness and generosity from residents making donations," which have been pouring in the hoarding situation make the rounds on social media and mainstream media.

The health department had to bring in trailers to each shelter to house all the donations, Lippai said. Food, bedding, treats and monetary contributions are just some of donations coming in.

Any resident looking to donate can visit www.ochd.org for a complete list of the shelter donation wish list.

"The animal facility and health department staff have done an outstanding job caring for the dogs and cats since they came in from the horrible conditions they were forced to live in," said Ocean County Commissioner Gary Quinn, who is the liaison to the health department. "We would also like to acknowledge all the law enforcement and animal welfare officers that took part in the removal and transfer of these cats and dogs. It really takes a team effort to handle an overwhelming job of this magnitude."

Full coverage:

• Brick Animal Hoarding Case: Questions And Answers
• 180 Dogs, Cats Removed From Brick Home, 2 Arrested: Police
• Dogs, Cats From Brick 'Puppy Mill' Under Ocean County's Care
• How Rescue Founder Hid Brick Animal Hoarding: Fosters, Adopters Speak
• 'Desperate Need': Manahawkin Animal Shelter Asks For Coats, Cash
• 'Nightmare': Popcorn Park Officer Shares Hoarder House Experience
• Hundreds Of Pets In Need Following Brick Hoarder Rescue: How To Help

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