11 Dogs, 1 Cat Rescued From NJ Home After Owner's Death

NEW JERSEY — Eleven dogs and one cat are adjusting to life outside their apartment after their owner died and two animal welfare agencies from northern New Jersey stepped in to rescue them.

Second Chance Pet Adoption League in Oak Ridge and Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge (RBARI) in Oakland teamed up to remove the pets from their owner's home recently, according to posts on Facebook.

The owner lived in Passaic County, according to NorthJersey.com.

The woman had died unexpectedly and lived alone, with no family in the area. The dogs were loved and cared for but lived in unsanitary conditions, and many need medical care, the organizations said.

The rescue took about an hour.

"The dogs were terrified as their world was turned upside down- some hid in closets, under tables, and behind the toilet, while others refused to leave their owner’s body," Second Chance wrote on Facebook. "The very friendly senior cat seemed relieved to have been found and happily welcomed her rescuers."

The dogs are small, between 5-12 pounds each, and all are adults under 7 years old.

These dogs are Chihuahuas, Yorkies or a mix of those breeds. They are not house- or leash-trained, and need patient owners. Both shelters recommend that the dogs be adopted in pairs, or go to a home with another dog, as they are used to living together.

"We are in the process of getting to know each of their individual needs," RBARI wrote on Facebook. "Medical care will include dentals, mass removal and cardiac work-ups as well as basic medical care, which has been neglected for some time. Most of the dogs need to be groomed due to severe matting, long nails, urine staining and feces caked on their bodies."

The cat, Holly, is a senior who appears to be missing some teeth. Shelter staff said she is outgoing and greeted her rescuers when they arrived.

Five dogs (Andi, Andrew, Jan, Astrid and Angela) will be adoptable through Second Chance Pet Adoption League.

Dogs Vance, Hunter, Helene, Nellie, Mose and Darryl, as well as Holly the cat, will be available through Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge.

Both RBARI and Second Chance are asking for donations to support the animals' care, as well as potential new homes for them.