An animal refuge in Snyder County is a bit more crowded these days.
In the last several months the place has taken in more than two dozen animals and needs to expand.
A cry for help is going out at T and D's Cats of the World near Middleburg. In the last few months nearly 30 new animals have moved in there.
Some came from people who had them as pets and a whopping 20 of them came from a wildlife center in Scranton which closed its doors in April.
"We ended up with some of their cats, all their cats and some of their monkeys, sloth and a bintauron from there," explained Jennifer Mattive of T and D's Cats of the World.
T and D's is a family-run operation and the home for unwanted wild animals comes at a price.
"Admissions and donations help. We definitely need some donations to finish up this pretty big project we had to undertake," Mattive added.
In two weeks or so T and D's will become home to six macaques, which are monkeys, but the enclosures aren't finished yet. Work has to be done inside to install sheet metal which could cost $5,000 to $8,000. It will make it sanitary for the animals.
"We'd like to get those monkeys out as soon as possible, especially to enjoy the summer," Mattive said.
For now the monkeys are staying in holding areas until the work is finished. These animals have another need to contend with; a large appetite.
The massive effort does not go unnoticed, however. Karen Arneson's son, Philip, goes to Zookeeper Camp there, where he learns all about the wild animals and how to take care of them.
"I just like working with animals and stuff. They have a lot of rescued animals," said Philip Arneson.
"I know they just got a lot of new animals in and they've got a lot more responsibility they've taken on now from other places that can't take care of them. It's great," said Karen Arneson.
In the last several months the place has taken in more than two dozen animals and needs to expand.
A cry for help is going out at T and D's Cats of the World near Middleburg. In the last few months nearly 30 new animals have moved in there.
Some came from people who had them as pets and a whopping 20 of them came from a wildlife center in Scranton which closed its doors in April.
"We ended up with some of their cats, all their cats and some of their monkeys, sloth and a bintauron from there," explained Jennifer Mattive of T and D's Cats of the World.
T and D's is a family-run operation and the home for unwanted wild animals comes at a price.
"Admissions and donations help. We definitely need some donations to finish up this pretty big project we had to undertake," Mattive added.
In two weeks or so T and D's will become home to six macaques, which are monkeys, but the enclosures aren't finished yet. Work has to be done inside to install sheet metal which could cost $5,000 to $8,000. It will make it sanitary for the animals.
"We'd like to get those monkeys out as soon as possible, especially to enjoy the summer," Mattive said.
For now the monkeys are staying in holding areas until the work is finished. These animals have another need to contend with; a large appetite.
The massive effort does not go unnoticed, however. Karen Arneson's son, Philip, goes to Zookeeper Camp there, where he learns all about the wild animals and how to take care of them.
"I just like working with animals and stuff. They have a lot of rescued animals," said Philip Arneson.
"I know they just got a lot of new animals in and they've got a lot more responsibility they've taken on now from other places that can't take care of them. It's great," said Karen Arneson.
