The Adams County SPCA has temporarily closed to the public after taking in 29 Dachshunds rescued from a Conewago Township home, leaving the shelter caring for far more dogs than its kennel capacity while staff focuses on medical treatment and rehabilitation.

According to posts on the shelter’s Facebook page, the rescue began after a resident contacted the SPCA seeking help. The woman, who had bred and sold Dachshunds for years, told the organization declining health had left her unable to properly care for the animals.

The SPCA reported the dogs were generally in fair health, but many suffered from overgrown nails, significant dental disease, matted coats and urine scald after spending extended periods on soiled bedding. The organization said the dogs had not been outside the home in more than three years.

Several of the female dogs are pregnant and will remain in the shelter’s care for an extended period. Before becoming available for adoption, each dog will receive a complete veterinary examination, vaccinations, deworming, heartworm and Lyme disease testing, flea treatment, spay or neuter surgery, and a microchip.

The influx has stretched the shelter’s resources. The SPCA said it has only 22 dog kennels but is now caring for 45 dogs, prompting the decision to close until further notice so staff can concentrate on the animals’ care.

In an update posted June 29, the SPCA said it had received nearly 700 adoption applications, along with thousands of phone calls, emails, text messages and social media messages from people hoping to adopt or foster the dogs.

Because of the overwhelming response, the shelter announced it is no longer accepting adoption applications for the Dachshunds and asked the public not to contact the shelter about adopting them at this time.

The dogs are slowly learning to trust people after years spent in confinement and require ongoing veterinary care, behavioral assessments and gradual exposure to the outdoors.

The SPCA said donations are still needed, particularly puppy toys, flat sheets, bleach, Dawn dish soap, disinfectant wipes, gift cards for Walmart, Amazon or Chewy, and monetary contributions to help cover veterinary expenses.

The shelter said it will continue providing updates as the dogs recover and will announce when they are medically and behaviorally ready to begin the adoption process.