Tim Trow, president of the Toronto Humane Society, sits in the back of a police car after his arrest. (CBC)

The Toronto Humane Society said it will hire an interim executive director to review its operations in the wake of a raid that resulted in charges against five employees including its president.

"This person will conduct a thorough review of society operational practices including staffing levels, the number of animals taken in, and assist in the hiring of a new executive director," Bob Hambley, THS's acting president said in a release on Saturday.

The rescue shelter will also install "a well-respected veterinarian" to head its clinical team and "ensure the society follows a responsible policy of euthanasia."

The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raided the humane society Thursday and said it found animals in such poor health that four of them had to be put down. A day later a mummified cat was found on the premises.

The THS release decried the OSPCA's tactics and said society officials "vehemently disagree with their tactics and assertions."

However, a THS spokesman said the group is having a serious look at its operations.

"Whenever the public has questions, I think it's good to reassure them and let them know that we're not merely saying 'everything is fine, nothing to see here' — we are going take an internal look at ourselves," Ian McConachie told The Canadian Press.

"I don't think there's any problem reviewing our practices and determining if there's anything we can do to improve the shelter. I think all businesses and organizations should do that on a regular basis."

The OSPCA alleges dozens of animals were neglected at the Toronto shelter, including dozens left to die in their cages without proper care and nutrition.

The River Street shelter in the city's east end is now closed and under the jurisdiction of the OSPCA. Employees are barred from entering the building as the Toronto Police and the OSPCA investigate the conditions at the facility.

About 1,100 animals are still inside and under the care of veterinarians, and will be put up for adoption Tuesday when the shelter reopens, the OSPCA said.

Five senior officials were arrested and charged with animal cruelty after police conducted a Thursday afternoon raid:

• President Tim Trow.
• General manager Gary McCracken.
• Head veterinarian Dr. Steve Sheridan.
• Supervisor Andy Bechtel.
• Manager Romeo Bernadino.

Charges against Trow, McCracken, Bechtel and Bernadino also include obstruction of a peace officer.

Members of the society's board of directors were also charged with five counts of animal cruelty, a provincial offence under the Ontario SPCA Act.

A THS spokesperson called the OSPCA's actions disgusting and politically motivated. There has been a long-running feud between the two animal-care organizations, he said.

OSPCA lawyer Christopher Avery alleges the Toronto society is reluctant to euthanize sick or dying animals and blames management for dictating euthanasia policy without taking the animals' best interests into account.

With files from The Canadian Press