The animal laboratory at Johnson State College is closed and the professor who ran the lab is on leave and facing criminal charges.
In August another college staff member detected stench coming from the lab. Inside, dozens of animals were found dead while others were malnourished.
Lab Director John Wrazen has been cited into court on charges of importing and stocking wild animals without a permit.
Johnson President Barbara Murphy says a routine veterinary check of the animals in the spring found no problems.
Most of the 50 animals from 38 species were reptiles or amphibians, used for demonstration purposes, not research.
Wrazen could not be reached for comment.
Note: Information for this report came from WCAX-TV