Animals rescued from an abandoned home in Blount County are recovering both with foster families and at the Blount County Animal Center.
This is after 43-year-old Amy Robertson turned herself in after admitting she knowingly abandoned multiple animals at her home, according to the Blount County Sheriff's Office. She faces 21 charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
Robertson has not yet surrendered ownership of the animals, though animal center leaders expect paperwork giving the animal center the authority to offer the animals for adoption next week.
Beth Forsythe with the Blount County Animal Center says some of the animals have recovered enough to where they can be adopted once official paperwork is cleared. Other animals could need another two weeks before they will be healthy enough to be adopted.
"They're all doing really well," Forsythe said. "They are putting weight on. One of them that's a little Chihuahua weight 6.2 lbs last week. He's up to 10.4 lbs."
The most malnourished dogs are recovering with foster families.
Tina Enloe has fostered more than 100 dogs for the Blount County Animal Center, and while Zelda, the dog she is caring for now, is the most ill dog she's care for, she is seeing progress.
"When I got her, she didn't look much different. She was just very lethargic. A whole lot less energy than she has now," Enloe said. "When I pet her, she starts to get that waggly tail so I know the energy is coming back."
A petition is circulating online shared by a Facebook page called Justice For Pork And Beans.
The petition is asking for the community to come together and help the animals find new, loving homes as well as remember the animals who passed away at the home.