MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — More than 70 dogs and cats at a home in Middleburg were surrendered Tuesday morning to Clay County Animal Services.
According to Joel Smith with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the owner of these animals will not be criminally charged, despite having so many of them.
“It’s not a criminal investigation. The sheriff’s office is acting in a supporting role,” Smith said.
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The animals were examined and taken out of the former owner’s home to a staging area at Omega Park in Middleburg, and later to the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs. Agencies that worked to transport the animals include:
- Clay County Fire Rescue
- Clay County Division of Emergency Management
- Clay County Sheriff’s Office
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According to Arlene Jones, who is with Clay County Animal Services say, the animals are healthy and will be up for adoption.
“Mainly we are just seeing some skin issues and ear issues nothing really serious at this point,” Jones said.
Right now, all of these animals are being housed at the Clay County Fairgrounds.
“I think that’s too many to have unless you can care for them, but I guess she probably loves dogs,” Rebecca Davenport, a resident who rescues dogs said.
“Use to do Labrador rescues so that’s the breed that I usually go to,” Davenport said.
For more information on how you can volunteer to help the animals, donate to their care, or to adopt one of the animals when they become available, click here. Clay County officials did say that it will be a couple of weeks before people can start adopting.
The county said Clay County Animal Services can assist owners who may need to surrender their pet. For more information on how that process works, as well as information pet food assistance and how to deal with pet behavioral issues, click here.
PHOTOS: Dozens of dogs and cats removed from Middleburg home after being surrendered to Clay County
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