The Brandywine Valley SPCA has taken in nearly 100 of the rescued animals from a Delaware home, in which the founder and president of Pets and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Inc.– 39-year-old Mark Ptomey– was charged with animal cruelty. Most of the dogs and a lot of the cats were sent to the Georgetown facility as Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Sara Smith tells the Talk of Delmarva…
The community is asked to support this emergency mission. The Brandywine Valley SPCA is waiving adoption fees through Sunday for adult cats and dogs 30lbs+, and seeking emergency fosters and donations to help support this large intake of animals.
The Brandywine Valley SPCA is working to manage the sudden influx of nearly 100 animals after they were rescued last week at a home in New Castle County, in which the founder and president of Pets and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Inc. was charged with animal cruelty. The Brandywine Valley SPCA has 12 locations spread throughout the region–including Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. They do have resources to pull from to help take care of the large intake at once, However Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Sara Smith tells the Talk of Delmarva…
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Sara Smith tells the Talk of Delmarva about ways you can help…
They are also looking for emergency foster care availability, which is an option if you are not able to make a permanent commitment. Smith says you can foster an animal already in their care–adding that a couple weeks would be great–giving the animals a break from the shelter. They also welcome donations. You’ll find the link to more information at Talkofdelmarva.com.
The owner of a New Castle animal rescue has been arrested after authorities seized 98 animals — including 49 cats, 42 dogs, and seven small animals — from his townhome. 39-year-old Mark Ptomey, founder and president of Pets and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Inc., was arraigned October 1 at JP Court 11 and released on $231 unsecured bail. Ptomey faces 64 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, along with 72 dog housing violations, 27 dog licensing violations, and 68 rabies vaccination violations. He is prohibited from owning or possessing animals until the case is resolved. The arrests and seizures were carried out by the Division of Public Health’s Office of Animal Welfare’s Delaware Animal Services, which investigated the case.
Additional Information from the Delaware Division of Public Health:
On September 24, while conducting a joint investigation with New Castle County Code Enforcement, DAS executed a search warrant at the home where animals were found living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. A team of DAS animal welfare officers worked throughout the day to remove animals, transport them for care, and collect evidence.
Inside the residence, a strong ammonia odor from excessive animal waste filled the air. Pets were found in cramped, filthy conditions with crates stacked throughout the home among trash and clutter. Pet waste caked the floors, walls, and cages in the pest-infested residence. Outside, cages and kennels containing dogs and cats were found throughout the yard in various states of disrepair. Some animals lacked proper housing and shelter from the elements, while others were living in their own waste.
New Castle Code Enforcement condemned the home due to deplorable conditions.
Several pets were found in severely poor health and immediately rushed to veterinary care. One cat was found unresponsive and subsequently died while en route to the veterinary hospital. Two additional cats and one dog had to be euthanized due to their grave medical conditions.
“This individual betrayed the community and the animals that he claimed to protect,” said Mark Tobin, Chief of DAS. “Instead of providing a sanctuary for vulnerable pets, they were subjected to horrible neglect. We will work to hold him accountable so he cannot harm animals again.”
The animals are now in the care of Brandywine Valley SPCA, the state’s contracted animal shelter, and receiving medical evaluation and treatment, proper nutrition, and safe housing. “We are asking the community to step up to help us help them by signing up as an emergency foster, adopting one of the animals already in our care, or making a donation toward the care of these nearly 100 survivors,” said Adam Lamb, CEO of Brandywine Valley SPCA. This is an emergency situation, and we are doing everything we can, but it takes support from our community to make responses like this possible.” Visit bvspca.org to learn more.
Reporting Animal Cruelty
If you are concerned about an animal’s welfare and suspect cruelty or neglect, contact OAW’s Delaware Animal Services immediately at 302-255-4646 or report online at animalservices.delaware.gov/report_violation/25.
