BRANCHBURG, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- Animal rescuers are caring for more than 20 neglected dogs that were found running loose across multiple townships in New Jersey in recent days.
A dozen of the pups were located in Branchburg since last weekend, including inside White Oak Park, according to the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter. The most recent was found Monday evening.
Nearly another dozen dogs were reportedly found in the county under similar conditions, including in Bound Brook and Franklin.
Most of them are Shih Tzus and mixed breed dogs. They’re severely neglected and have issues like ticks, hot spots and matting. It's unclear who abandoned them.
When Carol Zazenskowski, owner of Carol's Canine Cuties in Manville, found out about the dogs, she contacted the Somerset County Animal Shelter and asked how she could help.
“They all look like they’re in dire straits, that they all need to be taken care of,” Zazenskowski said.
The shelter gave her one of the dogs to care for.
“This one was horrendously matted,” she said. “Things that you see on TV and don’t believe until you’ve got them in front of you. He had a lot of ticks. Thank goodness no fleas. He had some hot spots, which they will be giving him medication for.”
The Somerset shelter is asking for any donations to help care for the dogs, as they'll need “substantial” vet care, including neutering, deworming, vaccinating, grooming and providing behavioral assessments.
The dogs aren't currently up for adoption, but the ones found in Branchburg are "settling in to a clean space with fresh water, nourishing meals and some love," according to a Facebook post from the shelter Monday.
Anyone with information on where the dogs came from, or who finds any more dogs, is asked to call the shelter at 908-725-0308.