Montana shelters feel strain after Corvallis animal neglect case

MONTANA — A recent animal neglect investigation in Ravalli County put new focus on how one rescue case can strain shelters and rescue groups across Montana.

Animeals in Missoula was not directly involved in the Corvallis-area case, but it explained that situations like this can still affect animal welfare groups statewide when shelters start running out of space.

According to the Humane Society of Western Montana, 87 animals were seized from a property near Corvallis after a recent investigation by the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office. The animals included dogs, cats, rats and livestock.

That sudden need for care led both the Humane Society of Western Montana and Bitter Root Humane Association to pause local intake while the rescued animals were treated.

Animal advocates said large neglect cases are often not visible to the public until conditions get bad enough for authorities to step in.

“I think hoarding cases have been everywhere and they happen more than most people realize because very often they are hidden. People are not aware of it until it becomes such a crisis,” said Janet Rose, executive director of Animeals.

Animeals said rescues like this can quickly stretch shelter resources. The group said medical treatment, housing space, foster placement and long-term care costs can all pile up fast, especially during busy intake periods like kitten season.

The organization also said volunteers and donations can become especially important when shelters are dealing with emergency cases.

“When the word goes out that we’ve got 60 animals that are in peril, boom — the community comes out of the woodwork and they help with whatever the shelter needs,” said Karyn Moltzen, founder and president of Animeals.

Advocates said neglect cases are often connected to financial hardship, overcrowding or animal hoarding. They also said recovery for rescued animals can take weeks or months depending on the condition they were in.

Animal advocates said cases like the one tied to Corvallis can have effects far beyond one town because rescue networks across Montana often feel the pressure.