50 Animals Rescued from Hoarder-Like Conditions

The animals were rescued from a home on the North Dakota side of the border, but the closest rescue was in Fertile, Minnesota - and Smiley's Rescues gamely stepped up to meet the challenge.

FERTILE, MN (KVRR) – The numbers are staggering: 27 adult cats, 15 kittens, three adult senior dogs, and five guinea pigs.

Smiley’s Rescues in Fertile received word back in January that those animals had been surrendered to law enforcement after being discovered in what’s been described as hoarder-like conditions in a home on the North Dakota side of the border.

“There was urine and feces everywhere in the home,” said Sid Olson of Smiley’s.

Taking in so many animals was no easy feat, but there was never a question that they’d do their best to accommodate every creature.

The good news is that the senior dogs, adult cats, and even guinea pigs have all responded well to medical care and socialization and will soon be more than ready to find their forever homes.

“They’re all doing incredibly awesome,” said Olson.

The unfortunate reality is that the toxic environment in which they were found and likely cases of inbreeding means that many of the kittens never really stood a chance. Of the 15 rescued, only 4 still have hope of survival.

Through the ups and the downs, Olson says she’s been overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support.

“People have completely stepped up helping us with financial support so we could get everybody fixed,” she said.

She’s also thankful that so many of these critters have a new lease on life.

If you’d like to help and you can get to Fertile in person, Smiley’s Rescues is holding a open house type of fundraiser on Giving Hearts Day, February 12, where they hope to receive as many donations and adopt out as many animals as they can.