Nearly 300 animals removed from 'noxious' roach-infested New York home; pet owner arrested

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Overcrowded animal shelters dealing with staffing shortages

Officials at an animal shelter in Charlotte, North Carolina say they feel like they're crying wolf sometimes because they've been so full for so long.

Nearly 300 animals were rescued from a vermin-infested Long Island home on Tuesday, according to New York authorities.

The animals – which included cats, rabbits, birds, tortoises and snakes – were found in a Miller Place residence that was infested with cockroaches, lice and mites. According to authorities, the air in the residence was "noxious" and filthy.

"You've got situations where the cages are stacked so animals can urinate and defecate on animals below," Suffolk County District Attorney's Office official Jed Painter told FOX 5 New York. "You're going to have things like conjunctivitis, hair loss, urine stains, unhealed injuries, [and] scars."

The caretaker, Karin Keyes, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty confinement. She faces jail time and fines if convicted. 

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Nearly 300 animals were rescued from a pest-infested Long Island home in Miller Place, New York. (FOX 5 New York)

The 51-year-old social worker was reportedly overwhelmed by the animals in her possession. One of Keyes' friends told FOX 5 New York that she had good intentions, but the situation "got out of control."

"When she found out an animal was sick or needed a home, she took it under her wing," Danielle Ward explained.

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Hundreds of cats, rabbits, birds, tortoises and snakes were found in a roach-infested New York home. (FOX 5 New York)

While she was out of town, Keyes asked her patients to feed animals, setting off a chain reaction that eventually led to intervention from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

"The caregivers tripped the fire alarm, brought fire department to the scene, led to fire marshal, led to building department, led to animal control, led to district attorney, led to ASPCA," Painter described. 

Officials said the "toxic" conditions put the animals at risk for conjunctivitis, hair loss and unhealed injuries. (FOX 5 New York)

ASPCA volunteers are taking care of the rescued animals while they also receive medical care. The pets will be sent to wildlife centers and rescue organizations after treatment.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Suffolk County District Attorney's Office for a statement, but did not hear back.