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KENNEBUNK — The Animal Welfare Society is asking for financial help for the public as it cares for a number of collies rescued from central Maine by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry rescued about 100 animals including dogs, cats, chickens and horses that needed “urgent care” from a property in Solon on July 23, according to a press release from the state department.

The  animals were taken from R-N-D Kennels, Somerset County Chief Deputy Michael Mitchell told the Portland Press Herald. Mitchell told the Press Herald some of the dogs on the property appeared malnourished and to be in “real bad shape.”

R-N-D Kennels was owned by Diane Noyes, according to the company’s website. Noyes described herself as an animal lover who bred collies with a farm redesigned for the safety of her animals.

Puppies were listed from $700 to $1,000 and were sold to qualifying homes only, according to the website.

Many animal shelters and rescue organizations are taking care of the seized animals while they are in state custody.

One such shelter is the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk. AWS has an online fundraiser, and is hoping to raise $5,000 for food and other supplies needed for the daily care of the animals.

AWS Marketing Manager Stephanie Kelley said some of the dogs seized were in the shelter’s care, but she couldn’t comment further as the animals were in state custody and the shelter is caring for them on behalf of the state.

None of the pets taken from the Solon property are available for adoption at this time. Once custody is determined by the court, the animals may need new homes, according to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

For more information on the Animal Welfare Society or its fundraiser, go to https://animalwelfaresociety.org.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.