Dozens of dogs and cats saved from miserable conditions behind a St. Petersburg home are now on the mend.
The 51 animals were saved during a raid at a wildlife-rescue facility that operated at the home. Officials said the animals were living in filthy crates without food or water.
And now it turns out the animals have already been through the system. Microchips in the animals revealed most of them originally came from Hillsborough County Animal Services, and that their care was outsourced to the wildlife rescue.
Spokesperson Marti Ryan says the individual rescue organizations are basically on the honor system. There are no special permits needed.
“The vast majority of our rescues are reputable and well-run by people who really care about saving the lives of animals,“ she said. “We get references and have a strong animal foster network. It’s unfortunate that something like this puts the rescue system in a bad light.”
In Pinellas County, where the abused animals are now being cared for, Animal Services does yearly inspections of their rescue outsource groups.
“There are no special permits, or licenses or regulatory agency that oversees the rescues,“ said Doug Brightwell, spokesperson for the county's animal services. “Anybody can be a rescue and we hope that when people get into it they have the proper facility and space the animals need.”
Brightwell says most of the animals are recovering and will probably be available for adoption.