The Humane Society of Parkersburg with the help of the Humane Society of the United States, the Wood County Sheriff's office and others seized aproximately 300 dogs Saturday from Whispering Oaks Kennel in Wood County.

Officials estimate there are 1000 dogs total that need to be seized but a final count is expected to be done Sunday.

By Sunday, they expect to have all the dogs at a warehouse that's set up as an emergency shelter near the Humane Society's building on 29th and Poplar Streets.

Wood County Prosecutor Ginny Conley said at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Wood County Sheriff deputies served a search warrant at the Whispering Oaks Kennel.

"What turned out to be a thousand animals on that property," said Wood County Prosecutor Ginny Conley

According to the kennel's Web site, Sharon Roberts is the owner.

Conley did not name the owner but said the owner was fully cooperative in handing over the dogs. Wood County Deputy Robert Sims said she wanted to reduce the number of animals in her care.

"These dogs were housed in kennels like a rabbit cage, off the ground they were standing in wire," said Carrie Roe, president of the Humane Society of Parkersburg Board of Directors.

They were reportedly in very small housing with multiple animals together.

"The smell of the feces, the urine, the ammonia, building up in the building, I'd say was unhealthy," said Wood Co. Sheriff Deputy Robert Sims.

He says they're waiting on testing results of this.

"Overall the general condition of the animals were in fair condition," he said.

"A lot of these puppies and animals have never been touched, they've never been on the ground, so they're not like your normal animal," Roe said.

Roe says this is where their issues will be- learning how to adjust to people.

"It's not going to be something we can resolve in a few days, it's going to take some time," she said.

So to start, the Humane Society of Parkersburg, the Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Rescue, and the Wood County Prosecutor's office helped transfer some of the animals to a warehouse which is set up as an emergency shelter near the Humane Society of Parkersburg building Saturday.

They're continuing to evaluate them.

"We're not going to be putting these animals up for adoption at least for a week," Roe said.

Roe said it'll be next week before they start accepting adoption applications because they want to evaluate the dogs first.

The groups are helping these dogs get to animals rescues and the rehabilitation they need.

Officials say they do need your help.

The Humane Society of Parkersburg needs blankets, towels, and
money donations.

You can call them at (304) 422-5541 or visit them online at www.hsop.org