Veterinarians donate health evaluations to sheltered dogs

Friday veterinarians volunteered to examine more than 160 Malamute dogs being sheltered at the Lewis and Clark Humane Society.

The animals were seized from a Jefferson City residence Wednesday in connection with several charges including animal cruelty.

Vets are giving vaccinations, inserting microchips and doing overall health checks.

The state director for the U.S. Humane Society says they'll have a better idea of their overall health after all the evaluations are complete.

“We're actually weighing them to get an exact weight on them and then the vets are documenting anything they find and then it's treated. If it's a wound something that needs to be treating it, they're treating it,” says Wendy Hergenraeder of the U.S. Humane Society.

The director of the Lewis and Clark Humane Society says they've received donations from across the United States and overseas.  

She says as of this afternoon, they've received many items and 3,000 dollars to help with Project Malamute.

“I just want to thank everybody for being right there to help, all of the team work and very, very generous people that want to support this project. So thank you,” says Gina Wiest of the L&C Humane Society.

Gina Wiest says anyone who would like to help is encouraged to send a donation to:

Project Malamute
c/o Lewis & Clark Humane Society
PO Box 4455
Helena, MT 59604

Authorities say the owner of the dogs, Mike Chilinski, will likely be charged with several additional felony animal cruelty charges.   

The Jefferson County attorney says that likely won't be filed until sometime next week. The dogs will not be available for adoption until the criminal investigation is complete.

For more information on how you can help, visit the Lewis and Clark Humane Society's website.

Story by Kristin Price, Beartooth NBC.
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