Brick Animal Hoarding Case: Questions And Answers

BRICK, NJ — The discovery and rescue of 180 dogs and cats from a Brick Township home Friday and Saturday and the arrest of two women on animal cruelty charges has raised lots of questions.

Here is a quick rundown of what we know so far about the situation, the rescue and the two women who have been charged in connection with the case:

Who are the women, where are they, and what's next?

Aimee J. Lonczak, 49, and Michele Nycz, 58, were arrested Friday night at the home on Arrowhead Park Drive. They are charged with animal cruelty and child endangerment. Police said the child endangerment charge is because Lonczak's 16-year-old was living with them.

Lonczak and Nycz are being held at the Ocean County Jail. They are scheduled for a detention hearing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan. The Ocean County Prosecutor's office said it is going to request they be held until trial.

Authorities have not released information on where the child was taken because of juvenile privacy laws.

Lonczak's occupation appears to be running the rescue. Nycz is an early childhood educator in the Perth Amboy Public Schools, according to her LinkedIn account and the school district's website.

Update: On Dec. 8, Ocean County Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels ordered Lonczak and Nycz released to await further court action, with a list of conditions including barring them from contact with Lonczak's daughter and barring them from any contact with animals. Read more: Women Released To Await Trial In Brick Animal Hoarding Case

How many animals and where are they?

Brick Township police said 135 dogs and 45 cats were removed from the home over 10 hours Friday night into Saturday morning. Eight animals were taken for emergency veterinary care. Two dogs were found dead in the home, police said.

There were 30 dogs and 17 cats taken to the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility in Jackson, 17 dogs and eight cats taken to the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter in Manahawkin, and 81 dogs and 12 cats were taken to Ocean County's animal facility in Barnegat, which is used to house animals in emergencies, health department officials said. Read more: Dogs, Cats From Brick 'Puppy Mill' Under Ocean County's Care

Ocean County officials on Wednesday said more than 180 animals were rescued from what they called an illegal kennel.

Puppy mill or rescue?

Brick Township police said they were investigating the report of a puppy mill when they found the animals. Volunteers who helped with removing the animals from the house, however, said there were no signs that dogs were being bred at the home. Read more: 180 Dogs, Cats Removed From Brick Home, 2 Arrested: Police

Lonczak is the founder of Crazy Rescue Ladies Inc. It is registered with the Internal Revenue Service and with the Florida Division of Corporations to an address in Cooper City, Florida. In New Jersey, it is registered to the Arrowhead Park Drive home. That home is owned by Nycz.

The dogs were a variety of breeds from Chihuahuas to German shepherds and were older puppies and adults. Read more: How Rescue Founder Hid Brick Animal Hoarding: Fosters, Adopters Speak

Where were the animals coming from?

Former volunteers and people who had been connected with Lonczak said the bulk of the animals were being pulled from shelters in the South, including Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and Florida. Some were from shelters and other rescues in New Jersey, according to postings on the Crazy Rescue Ladies Inc. Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Read more: How Rescue Founder Hid Brick Animal Hoarding: Fosters, Adopters Speak

How can people help?

The two volunteer groups that support the Ocean County animal shelters have been posting information on needed donations; those needs have changed several times since Saturday.

The primary need is financial as the cost of feeding those animals is significant. Pet food donations are not accepted because they are trying to avoid changing the animals' diets multiple times, which can lead to digestive issues and diarrhea. Read more: 'Desperate Need': Manahawkin Animal Shelter Asks For Coats, Cash

Can we adopt one of the animals?

The animals that were pulled from the hoarding situation may not be available for some time, in part because of the legal proceedings. While Lonczak and Nycz have been charged, the animals remain their property until they either relinquish the animals or the criminal charges are resolved.

Photos of those animals likely will not be available for some time because they are still considered evidence in the criminal investigation. Read more: Hundreds Of Pets In Need Following Brick Hoarder Rescue: How To Help

Shelter volunteers in both Ocean and Monmouth counties say the best thing that can be done now is adopt one of the animals that already were held at the Ocean County shelters, to help make room for the influx of animals from Brick. Check the Facebook pages of the Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter and the Friends of the Northern Ocean County Animal Facility for updates on available animals and where you can go to adopt.

Full coverage:

• 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
• Women Released To Await Trial In Brick Animal Hoarding Case

Have a comment, a question or a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com