MADISON, Wis. -- A woman accused of mistreating animals at a sanctuary for lost and found animals in Richland County has reached a settlement with prosecutors.

In the agreement, Jennifer Petkus, owner of the Thyme and Sage Ranch in Cazenovia, has agreed to surrender to the Dane County Humane Society all but four of the animals seized at Thyme and Sage Ranch in May.

In total, the authorities seized 378 animals from The Thyme and Sage Ranch after the Richland County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant in May.

After the animals were seized, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said many of the dogs suffered from ailments such as severely matted fur, skin infections and open wounds, and were housed in poor conditions.

By resolving the civil components of the case, Richland County prosecutors said they will be able to focus on the upcoming criminal trial, in which Petkus is charged with 39 misdemeanors stemming from her conduct in running the Thyme and Sage Ranch. That trial is scheduled to begin in February 2010.

The Dane County Humane Society said that in an effort to resolve the matter it has conditionally allowed four of the seized animals to be returned to Petkus' parents, who have agreed to assume ownership and care of the animals subject to the statutory obligations imposed on every animal owner in the state of Wisconsin. These animals will be subject to ongoing monitoring by law enforcement authorities pending the criminal trial, according to the Dane County Humane Society.

As part of the settlement agreement, the Dane County Humane Society and the cooperating agencies involved in the seizure agreed to waive the costs associated with their ongoing custodial care obligations during the course of the civil and criminal matters against Petkus.

The Dane County Humane Society said it's currently conducting behavior assessments and spay/neuter surgeries on the surrendered animals. Any veterinarians willing to volunteer their services to help with the spay/neuter surgeries should immediately contact Gayle Viney at gviney@giveshelter.org or 608-838-0413 extension 129.

The Dane County Humane Society said that as the animals are available for adoption, within the next 7 to 10 days, they will be listed along with other adoptable animals on the www.giveshelter.org Web site.