**Updated 10 p.m.
Orphan Kanines owner Debra Gray has been arrested and is being held on 100 counts of mistreatment of animals and failure to provide proper shelter to animals after Caledonia police and the Wisconsin Humane Society seized 63 dogs, 8 cats and a pig.
Another 12 dogs and a second pig were rescued from Gray’s address on Main Street. A third search warrant was executed by the City of Racine Police Department on a home on College Avenue, but it is unclear how many animals, if any, were rescued from that location.
Gray’s bond as listed on the Racine County Jail website was $50,000 cash. She has not yet been formally charged but will probably have her initial appearance Friday in felony court.
Officers closed access to Orphan Kanines, 1922 Kremer Ave., after responding at 7:30 a.m. Thursday after the department received a complaint after a routine fire inspection by the Caledonia Fire Department.
CPD Lt. Gary Larsen confirmed officers obtained a search warrant and discovered that the facility was housing too many animals.
The smell of ammonia was so bad that police had to wear protective clothing to enter the building and couldn’t be inside for more than a few minutes.
“The ammonia level is not safe for our personnel,” Larsen said Thursday morning at the scene.
The department released this information in its Facebook page:
“A search warrant was completed and executed this morning. The conditions inside were found to be very poor and hazardous to both humans and animals alike. The Wisconsin Humane Society is mobilizing a response team to assist in removal, care and placement of the animals inside. There are over 50 animals inside.”
Larsen said Orphan Kanines had more animals than was allowed.
“We do not have an accurate count of the number of animals in the facility but it is more than (the facility) is allowed to have,” he added.
An initial count put the number of dogs at 57, along with 10 cats and a pig, according to a press release from Caledonia PD.
At approximately 6 p.m. Thursday, Caledonia police officers executed a second search warrant at a residence in the 4000 block of Main Street. Larsen confirmed 12 dogs and a second pig were rescued from that home.
The Wisconsin Humane Society confirmed on their Facebook page that they will need assistance given the number of animals involved.
“We are currently assessing the full situation and preparing our team to respond quickly and with the utmost concern for each animal’s health and well-being,” they posted. “Because of the large number of animals, we will need to call on the help of other partners, organizations and individuals in the community.”
A fund has been established to help mitigate the cost of care for the animals.
We will continue to update this story as details become available.