Some dogs are already in new homes since being seized May 16 in an animal hoarding case, with the rest being prepared for adoption.

That information came out of Hall County Animal Services following the impoundment of 67 dogs and two guinea pigs in the incident.

A citizen complaint about a large number of animals possibly being kept in unsanitary conditions prompted the investigation. Authorities then discovered the animals running loose on Bogus Road, off Nopone Road in the northern portion of the county.

Officer David Jones, assistant director of Hall County Animal Services, said that the owners have since reclaimed one of the dogs, and both guinea pigs.

“Out of the dogs that we impounded, we now have 43 remaining,” he said. Some have been adopted, and the animal shelter is working with outside rescue organizations, including the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia and the Atlanta Humane Society, to help find housing for the rest.

Julie Edwards with the humane society said that the 10 dogs it took in are not yet ready for adoption.

“When we bring animals into our facility, they get vaccines and they get heartworm checks,” she said. “The process can take anywhere from five to seven days.”

If any potential illness is detected, the process can take longer, though she did say that the majority of the animals from the case visually seemed healthy.

When the dogs are ready for adoption, she said, they will be placed on the group’s Facebook page, facebook.com/hsnega, and website, humanesocietyofnortheastgeorgia.org.

The mixed-breed dogs were a variety of ages, including a couple of mothers still nursing their puppies.

“For the most part, they were healthy, but they were all infested with fleas,” Jones said. He called the conditions they were kept in “unsanitary,” and said that there was inadequate food and water provided for the number of animals.

Three dogs were found deceased on the premises, Jones said.

The four adults living in the house were all charged with animal hoarding, which is a “new approach” to dealing with these types of cases, Jones said.

“This will be the first time for this charge to be heard in magistrate court,” Jones said. They are expected to be arraigned June 5.

Names have not been released. The owners were cooperative, Jones said.

An animal hoarding case is determined by having more than one animal that is not adequately provided food, water and livable conditions.

The Hall County Animal Shelter takes in approximately 60 animals per day, according to a news release on the subject. To contact the animal shelter about potential adoption, call 678-450-1587. The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, located in Gainesville, can be reached at 770-532-6617.