45 Cats and Dogs Rescued from Suspected Animal Shelter President's Home amid Cruelty Investigation By Charna Flam

The president of a New Jersey animal shelter was allegedly keeping 45 animals in “deplorable conditions” in her Annandale, N.J., home on Monday, Aug. 18.

On Thursday, Aug. 21, Geralyn Serino, who was or is currently the president of Lost Paws Animal Rescue, was being issued a warrant for animal cruelty allegations by Hunterdon County law enforcement, per News 12. Upon their arrival, the authorities discovered and seized 45 animals from Serino’s home. (Serino was listed as the home’s owner on property tax records and the president of the animal shelter in IRS documents obtained by the local news station.)

There were 37 cats and eight dogs; of those animals rescued, seven were transported for immediate veterinary treatment by Crown Veterinary Specialists, per the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office news release.

PEOPLE reached out to Lost Paws Animal Rescue for comment.

“There was a lot of concern −they saw the animals that she had for adoption were in horrific condition,” Annie Trinkle, founder and executive director of Animal Alliance, told My Central New Jersey. Trinkle was on-site when the search warrant was executed. 

“Many rescued today were in dire condition. It was sickening. Animals in cages with like eight or nine inches of feces. No litter. No food. No water,” she continued of the “deplorable conditions.”

“They were filthy dirty. Some had eyes sealed shut with disease. Just very, very bad.”

Trinkle added, “It’s a very complex situation for people in animal welfare to deal with, because here’s someone that’s running an animal rescue group and these animals − it was tantamount to cruelty, the conditions they were living in.”

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The remaining animals were taken to various shelters, including Tabby’s Place, Somerset Regional and Animal Alliance.

Tabby’s Place’s director of operations, Danielle Rice, told News 12, “It is very difficult seeing cats in these conditions, particularly from an organization that was set up to help cats in this type of situation.”

“These cats are still under quarantine,” Rice said. “We’re treating them for upper respiratory infections, diarrhea, malnutrition and dehydration.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact either the prosecutor’s office at 908-788-1129 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 908-785-9594. Information can also be provided through the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-321-0010. All anonymous reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.