TALLADEGA — Almost as soon as word started getting out that Talladega County Sheriff’s Deputies and city police and animal control officers were seizing more than 200 dogs and puppies from an alleged puppy mill on Cemetery Mountain Road, the donations began rolling in, and are still coming more than two weeks later.

As of Tuesday afternoon, some $3,765 in cash had been donated to the Talladega Animal Shelter, and even greater quantities of dog and puppy food, towels, cleaning supplies, grooming supplies, laundry detergent and other essential items had come in from all over this state and others, according to Talladega Police Chief Alan Watson, who oversees the city’s animal control department.

“Right now, we’ve got enough to carry us on past our immediate needs,” he said. “We have received huge amounts of food and other supplies, and it is truly amazing how many people have come out to help. We’re in pretty good shape right now, but we don’t know how much longer we’re going to be responsible for caring for all these animals. I’m hoping the situation will be resolved in the next couple of weeks, but there’s no way to tell for sure.”

The shelter is responsible for caring for the animals until the misdemeanor charges against the operator of the alleged mill, Millie Henderson, can be resolved.

Some of the dogs will require special medical attention and care for a while, Watson added, and several rescue groups had already come forward to care for these animals. “(Animal control supervisor) Jessica McDonald has done a really good job of getting all of that organized, and we will be able to move forward with that quickly. I also understand that some people had either paid Henderson for dogs or had put down payments on them, and as long as they can still produce the emails or documents proving that, they will get their dogs, too.”

Beyond that, the dogs will be adopted out on a first come, first served basis.

Watson also pointed out that “some of the smaller breeds and types of dogs can be very high maintenance, and need extra care, and can involve extra costs. We want to make certain people know that,” Watson said.

There are other dogs and cats currently living at the shelter that are available for adoption now, however. The fee is $45 for a dog and $35 for a cat, with the adoption fee entitling the owner to a certificate for spaying or neutering.