When state police in Butler contacted Ruth Thompson, founder and director of the Association for Needy and Neglected Animals Shelter, on Saturday afternoon, she expected to bring three dogs back to her rescue facility.

Nearly nine hours later, Thompson and her team were headed back to the Erie shelter with 13 dogs, two ducks, two pigs, seven goats and 26 cats in tow.

“It was intense,” Thompson said. “It was a lot of overtime. It was a lot of people coming in that didn’t think they were going to have to come in a Saturday night, but we got it done. They all love their jobs.”

The ANNA shelter, at 1555 E. 10th St. in Erie, has been providing round-the-clock care for the 50 animals that were rescued from a Connoquenessing Township residence on Saturday, April 6. Of the 50 animals, eight cats and six dogs needed emergency medical treatment. The rescued animals, which are part of an ongoing investigation into their care, are “adjusting well,” according to Thompson, who hopes the animals will be available for adoption in the next week.

“We’re keeping them as comfortable and as happy as possible,” Thompson said.

The former owner of the pets, Paul Joseph Frederick, 53, of Connoquenessing Township, was arrested Saturday when a police investigation led them to his residence at 121 Double Road after Butler County Deputy Sheriff Brandon Huffman’s K-9 partner discovered two dead German shepherds in separate trash bags in Butler Township on Friday.

Frederick was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals causing serious bodily injury or death, obstructing administration of the law, and resisting arrest in relation to the incident.

After Thompson and her team were able to relocate the animals from the residence, they were able to provide medical care.

“All the animals had an initial triage that was done within a couple of hours of them entering the shelter,” Thompson said. “And then anyone that needed emergency medical (care), that was rendered immediately.”

Due to the ongoing investigation, the exact conditions of the animals could not be released, but Thompson was able to confirm that the eight cats and six dogs needed immediate medical attention, which was provided by the shelter’s on-call veterinarian.

All of the animals were given vaccines and parasite control treatment, Thompson said.

“Every animal received a hands-on exam because we certainty didn’t want to put them away when they were uncomfortable,” she said.

Thompson said the animals are settling in at the shelter, and she has noticed some of them have been “coming out of their shells,” since their rescue.

“Three days is kind of the benchmark for us,” Thompson said. “So after they’ve been here for three days, it kind of settles in for them that they’re safe and happy.”

Thompson praised her team for their efforts in helping rescue the animals.

“Our vet does the real hands-on veterinary exams, but it’s up to these guys to get everybody unloaded and as comfortable and as calmed down as possible,” she said. “There’s obviously a work element of it, and then there’s an emotional element, too. I’m really proud of these guys. It’s a lot harder, emotionally, physically and mentally than I think most people realize when you’re dealing with live animals.”

“Our vet usually gives a 10-day quarantine, just to make sure that the animals are out of the woods before they can maybe continue healing with someone else,” she said.

To donate to the ANNA shelter, visit its website at www.theannashelter.com.