More than 20 dogs and cats were rescued by Troy Animal Rescue Project Saturday from Homeward Bound Animal Rescue Project in Brundidge.

Tiffany Howington, TARP director, said volunteers were informed about the situation by the landlord, Kitty Cummings, who rented the residence housing the animals to Christie Lee Baker, director of Homeward Bound.

“The dogs and cats were not fed or watered in a week at least,” Howington said. “When we got there, there were body parts of cats and dead cats all over the yard. The dogs, I guess had gotten hungry enough to kill the cats.”

Cummings said she received a call from Baker’s husband, , who told her about the conditions of the house.

“You can’t even believe the house it’s so bad,” Cummings said. “The stench from urine and feces all over the floor, the roaches – it was just absolutely unbelievable. When I saw it, I went ballistic. I’m a big animal lover, so when I found out about the animals, rescuing them was my big concern.”

Brandon Baker was present when TARP arrived and agreed to surrender the animals to their care. Rescuers from multiple areas came to assist in transporting the pets to a safe location.

“People brought their SUVs, trucks and trailers to bring kennels and load pets,” Howington said. “The center was full of people wanting to help. People cleaned kennels, bleached crates, put together dog houses, walked dogs, helped provide vetting, fed and watered pets. – people came by with donations of kennels, food and bowls. Vanity Fur Canine Rescue even took six puppies that were under their quarantine period to help lessen our load. Everyone worked in 90 degree plus heat for hours and worked hard.”

Howington said 19 cats and 8 dogs were able to be saved from the home Saturday and were in kennels at the TARP Rescue Center.

Howington said the animals are emaciated from time without food and water and volunteers are working to rehabilitate the animals now.

“People were breaking down crying,” Howington said. “People trusted this person and gave her their pets. They trusted her to take care of them and I can’t honestly tell them what happened to their pets … If she was at the point she needed help with the animals, someone could have helped her, we could have helped her; there is no excuse for leaving them like this. People feel betrayed giving her their animals and giving her their money … it breaks my heart that someone would betray all these people’s trust.”

Chief Deputy R. W. Whitworth of the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department said officers are aware of the incident and it is under investigation.

Christie Lee Baker declined to comment for this story.