Cats, dogs, sheep — and even a turtle — were among the animals rescued throughout the region in 2025.

Sick sheep found

In February, the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement team rescued 11 sheep from a property in Pen Argyl, Northampton County.

Multiple diseased sheep were found and the surviving sheep and lambs were severely emaciated and taken for care.

Cats found dead

Dozens of dead cats were found in a West Ludlow Street apartment in Summit Hill in May. The felines’ owner, Lori Claypoole, was charged with animal cruelty and other offenses. The property’s landlord found the deceased cats while checking the property due to a roof leak. The cats were in various stages of decay, and several inches of excrement covered the floors.

Claypoole told police that all of the cats were strays and were not taken for veterinary care. She told police that she became overwhelmed and did not live in the apartment for about four years but returned to care for the cats.

She is scheduled to appear in the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas on Jan. 23.

Neglected dogs

Also in May, two dogs were brought to the Carbon County Animal Shelter within an hour of each other. A pit bull rescued from Lehighton was emaciated and could barely stand. An English bulldog from Lansford was involved with other dogs in a fight over food, and when its owner tried to intervene, he lost the top of his finger. The owner called the county communications center repeatedly and demanded that one of the dogs be removed from the house. Shelter officials said there appeared to be “some neglect” going on, and that the dog was friendly and likely got into the “fight” because four dogs were sharing the same bowl of food.

The English bulldog has been adopted, while the pit bull, named Coco, was nursed back to health and is still available.

In July, a dog with what appeared to be burns was found in Lansford. The Carbon County Animal Shelter received the dog, and began caring for it with help of Dr. Dawn Mriss at the Lehighton Animal Hospital.

Skin tests on the dog, named Renzo, couldn’t confirm burns but revealed a severe bacterial infection. The canine’s infection was treated and Renzo was eventually available for adoption. Shelter Director Tom Connors said Renzo is a loving dog, and is in good health. He is awaiting his forever home.

In September, Connors rescued a dog that broke through a screen window and made its way to a roof in Jim Thorpe. The dog, named Rufus, along with another found inside the home, Coco, were left behind by their owners. Connors and the Carbon County Animal Shelter attempted to notify the owners but calls were not returned. Both canines were taken to the shelter, with Rufus getting adopted and Prada scheduled to be taken to her forever home in a few days.

Abandoned pets

The Tamaqua Area Animal Rescue removed 30 cats, an emaciated dog and a turtle from an abandoned home in Tamaqua in November. The animals were left in the property for days without food, water and care.