Police are trying to identify the possible owners of 180 dogs and cats removed from an Ocean County animal rescue as part of a hoarding investigation.

The probe centers around two women who call themselves the "Crazy Rescue Ladies." News 12 has learned that missing dogs from Middlesex County may have been among the animals.

“We have over two dozen different emails of people looking for pets,” says Officer Scott Smith of Humane Law Enforcement.

Police say they believe Aimee Lonczak and Michele Nycz may have kept dozens of these pets from their rightful owners. 

“Some of them are people looking for lost pets, specifically that this woman may have found or pulled from a shelter after somebody else found them,” says Smith. “For whatever reason, she has refused to give them over to the owners previously.”

Police are asking for photos, microchip records or anything that may help identify a missing pet.   

MORE: Animals found in illegal kennel up for adoption; 2 charged with animal cruelty and child endangerment

The women have been charged with animal cruelty and child endangerment. They were arrested and released after a detention hearing.

“There are definitely further pending charges. That's going to be up to the prosecutor’s office for further review,” says Smith.  

Brick police are asking anyone with information on a possible lost or stolen pet to email as much information as possible to petrescue@brickpd.com.