ASPCA Places Remaining Animals from Massachusetts Cruelty Case with Rescue Groups across 13 States

Westport, Mass.—The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has spent the past few months working with its extensive network of animal welfare agencies to transport the remaining animals rescued in late July from a 70-acre property in Westport to rescue groups throughout the country. At the request of the Westport Police Department, the ASPCA has been providing daily care for the more than 1,000 animals at its emergency shelter, and has deployed nearly 650 responders from 44 agencies to support its sheltering operation. “We’ve been on the ground for nearly four months caring for these animals and it feels great knowing that so many of them are on their way to finding new homes,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. “We’ve provided quality care and enrichment for animals at our temporary shelter, but nothing beats a safe and loving home.”Agencies that received animals from the ASPCA include:

• 808 Horse Rescue (Calhan, Colo.)
• Angels of Assisi (Roanoke, Va.)
• Animal Rescue League of Boston (Mass.)
• Animal Welfare Society (Kennebunk, Maine)
• Berkshire Humane Society (Pittsfield, Mass.)
• Catskill Animal Sanctuary (Saugerties, N.Y.)
• Chautauqua County Humane Society (Chautauqua, N.Y.)
• Chenoa Manor (Avondale, Pa.)
• Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary (Ravena, Ohio)
• Humane Society of Chittenden County (South Burlington, Vt.)
• Connecticut Humane Society (Newington, Conn.)
• Days End Farm Horse Rescue (Woodbine, Md.)
• Forever Paws Animal Shelter (Fall River, Mass.)
• House Rabbit Network (Woburn, Mass.)
• Lasa Sanctuary (Ashtabula, Ohio)
• Live and Let Live Farm (Chichester, N.H.)
• Lollypop Farm (Fairport, N.Y.)
• MSPCA Cape Cod (Centerville, Mass.)
• MSPCA (Boston, Mass.)
• Potter League for Animals (Middletown, R.I.)
• SPCA Serving Erie County (Tonawanda, N.Y.)
• Sweet Binks Rabbit Rescue (Foster, R.I.)
• Tamerlaine Farm Animal Sanctuary (Montague Township, N.J.)
• West Place Animal Sanctuary (South Tiverton, R.I.).

According to these rescue groups, many of the animals have been adopted into safe and loving homes. The Animal Welfare Society found homes for 40 rabbits from this case in September, and recently transported more rabbits to its facility for adoption. Forever Paws Animal Shelter placed more than a dozen rabbits and dogs in new homes, and Lollypop Farm has received more than a hundred animals—including sheep, goats, ducks and pigeons—many of which have already been placed, and the others will be made available for adoption soon.

“It hasn’t been easy finding suitable placement for such a large and diverse population of animals, but many rescue groups have stepped up to get these animals into homes,” said Jessica Rushin, senior manager of ASPCA Partnerships. “So many of these animals have had a hard start in life, but they’re leaving their past behind and moving forward to a new, happy chapter.”

On July 28, the ASPCA began assisting the Westport Police Department with the care and sheltering of more than 1,000 farm animals of various species found living on a 70-acre property in Westport. The ASPCA subsequently moved the animals to an emergency shelter at an undisclosed location and has provided daily care and behavioral enrichment. The ASPCA continues to assist the Westport Police Department and state officials with the ongoing criminal investigation.