FLORENCE, Ala. (WAFF) – The Florence Lauderdale Animal Services is bursting at the seams.
It is because the shelter is holding 82 dogs seized during a criminal investigation from a Lauderdale County home back in January.
In January, 82 dogs were seized from a Lauderdale County property for neglect.
The owner has not surrendered the dogs to the shelter, and now they have to play the waiting game for the legal process to take place.
When these dogs came into the shelter, Cheryl Jones, the Animal Control Director, said some of them had health problems.
One was even pregnant and gave birth to puppies while in custody of the shelter, adding even more dogs into their care.
Jones said the legal process can take a long time, and the medical bills and spaces in the facility are running low. Dogs are already being held in areas that they typically don’t hold them in.
“Eighty-two is a lot to take care of, especially these guys who had some needs, medical needs that we had to attend to. It’s rough for staff that’s already at capacity taking care of animals,” said Jones.
Jones said they have already had to euthanize 10 other dogs in the shelter to make room to continue holding the dogs seized by investigators.
But she said they are no stranger to large influxes of dogs.
Adding that this happens about once a year.
“It’s the issue with breeding. No one has a problem with professional breeding, but too many times, what we see is hundreds of animals on the property, and that would be hard for anyone to manage. I don’t believe that anyone intended for it to be way,” said Jones.
Jeffery Raglan is the CEO of North Alabama Animal Warriors and he said if you are looking for a breeder, make sure to do your research to make sure you are getting a dog from a real breeder.
“Some of the best options are looking at sources of references to make sure they are a legitimate breeder, you are going to want to look for a legitimate website if they are posting back-to-back litters, that typically means they have a puppy mill situation going on,” said Raglan.
The trial for this case is set to take place in July, meaning, unless the owner surrenders the dogs beforehand, they will have to remain in the shelter until the criminal case is settled.
In the meantime, the shelter is looking for fosters to take in some of these dogs. Jones said that they are hoping for around 12.
If you are interested Jones all you have to do is come into the shelter and fill out an application, or click here for more information.
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