CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Three people were arrested on Sunday and charged with animal cruelty as part of an ongoing investigation after multiple exotic animals were removed from a home in Carter County.

According to a news release from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), Sarah Oaks, 43, Ryan Oaks, 42, and Nathaniel Oaks, 22, face 19 counts each of cruelty to animals.

The investigation began on June 5 when a deputy responded to the Oaks’ home in the Stoney Creek community.

At the home, the deputy reportedly found several animals in pens without clean water, food or shelter.

“Inside a storage shed, the deputy observed several additional animals confined without clean water or food, and noted that the temperature inside the shed was extremely hot,” the CCSO stated. “According to the deputy, all of the animals appeared to be dehydrated and underweight, and some appeared to be in distress.”

Deputies, along with an officer with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Crime Unit and the director of the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter, removed the following exotic animals from the home:

• One dog
• Two pigs
• Two lemurs
• One rooster
• Eight ducks
• Eight snakes
• Two lizards
• Eight rabbits
• Two ferrets

The animals were evaluated by veterinarians, who confirmed that all were underweight and dehydrated, the CCSO reported. Some of the animals also had additional health issues.

As of Monday, Ryan and Nathanial Oaks remain in the Carter County Detention Center on a $30,000 bond each.

Sarah Oaks was released after posting a $30,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office.