The SPCA is now looking after 17 puppies that were seized from a home just outside of Kamloops.

The organization has not given a more specific location, but it says it seized 16 Pomeranians and Yorkshire terrier-cross puppies, and a seventeenth puppy being a three-month-old Labrador retriever.

Chief prevention and enforcement officer Marcie Moriarty says all of the dogs were under one year old, and were living in “unsanitary” conditions, and were in a crowded space with poor ventilation.

Seven young chickens were also seized from the home for the same reasons.

Moriarty says the SPCA has dealt with the owner of these dogs and chickens in the past, saying the owner was convicted of animal cruelty 16 years ago.

“We learned of her most recent location and activity through a complaint to our animal cruelty hotline – it appears she has been breeding puppies again and selling them for up to $2,000… It is completely unacceptable to profit off the suffering of vulnerable animals.”

Moriarty says the SPCA will be pursuing animal cruelty charges in this case, and says pending a legal process the puppies seized are not ready for adoption.

(Photo: SPCA)