Animal control officers seized four dogs, four rats, two ferrets, six rabbits and two birds from a New Jersey home where they found the animals and adults living in squalor.
The New Jersey SPCA said it responded to the Piscataway home Monday and were overcome by a foul odor. Garbage, food and feces littered the home, which was also infested with flies, officials said.
Several animals, including a golden Labrador puppy, were found in cages.
The owners told the authorities that some of the animals were adopted and some had been bought. They admitted they could not take proper care of them.
The SPCA said the animals were taken from the home on Thursday, except for the cats, which could not be trapped by animal control officers. The cats were left in the home for the time being.
One count of animal cruelty will be filed, the SPCA said.
