36 Pasco Animals Rescued From 2 Hoarding Cases

LAND O’ LAKES, FL – Pinellas County Animal Services assisted in rescuing 36 animals from two different hoarding cases in Spring Hill.

In the first case, 26 cats were removed from a Spring Hill residence by an animal hoarding team led by Animal Control Officer Jennifer Kiernan. Animal Services was alerted about the hoarding case by an “overwhelmed” Pasco County resident who inherited the property from a deceased relative, according to a press release.

The heir of the Spring Hill property asked for help from some of the area’s rescue groups and shelters, but the person was not able to afford the removal and care fees involved, Animal Services reported. When Pasco County was notified, Kiernan and her team safely transported all of the cats for free to Pasco County Animal Services in Land O’ Lakes.

All of the cats in this case were spayed or neutered, given clean bills of health and will soon be available for adoption at Animal Services.

The second hoarding case in Spring Hill occurred under different circumstances. Animal Control Officer Lorraine Drake removed four unweaned kittens, an adult cat, four dogs and a rabbit from a “run-down” trailer, according to Animal Services.

Animal Services reported the animals were living in a structure that was unstable and unsafe with mold growing in the walls and urine-soaked clothing all over the floor. The pet owners were fined $9,000 for allowing the animals to live in those conditions and for failure to provide adequate veterinary care, according to Animal Services.

Drake transported the 10 animals to the Land O’ Lakes shelter, where they are undergoing medical care, Animal Services reported.

“It is an honor to work with such dedicated and compassionate professionals,” said Animal Control field supervisor Ron Altman. “Officer Drake and Officer Kiernan consistently demonstrate a commitment of safety towards the residents of this county and our Pasco pets.”

Caption: Twenty-six cats (not pictured) that were taken from a Pasco County hoarding case will soon be up for adoption at Pasco County Animal Services.

Image via Pasco County Animal Services Facebook page