Nearly 70 volunteers showed up to help the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Animal Control clean and medically assess 261 malnourished and neglected dogs.
Over 2200 pounds of dog food were delivered and donations from Petco, Publix and Purina were gratefully accepted. Volunteers and generous donors opened their wallets and their hearts while attending to the hundreds of dogs needing everything from food to love. Hundreds of towels, ear wash, shampoo, conditioner, and every type of dog related merchandise appeared.
Lisa Moehring, a Polk County resident and president of Save Our Homeless Pets posted the news on her Facebook page and asked for help. "We are geared towards saving the lives of those animals already born in Polk County and preventing more from being born in the future through low-cost spay and neuter programs," she stated.
Volunteers from the Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue, and Florida Disaster Animal Response Team who showed up with two certified veterinarian technicians to help assess the health of the dogs busily went about their business while other volunteers set up wash stations and grooming areas.
" This is just another example of the amazing generosity in our community and the neighboring areas," stated Sheriff Grady Judd in a news release. " People have opened their hearts and their wallets." Volunteers came from Tampa, St Petersburg, Orlando, Daytona Beach, and West Palm Beach to offer donations and assistance.
On Thursday, the 261 dogs were seized from the Mid-Florida Retriever Rescue; the owners Charles and Diane O' Malley were charged with 261 counts of animal cruelty, and by the terms of their bail are temporarily not permitted to have any animals.
If you are interested in helping with donations, food or dog-related items, please call the Polk County Animal Control at 863-499-2600 or the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 863-534-2600.
Comments
hooray for all the people who go above and beyond to help animals that are cursed upon by stupid people
This woman actually had the nerve to tell me I wasn't a fit parent for one of the puppies she had up for adoption in February, Funny the puppy I ended up adopting is happy and healthy and loves her forever home.
I think people who get into situations like this have issues that should be handled professionally. I really think they have the best of intentions but don't know or don't have the ability to say no and just doesn't keep a grasp of reality. Hoarding is a terrible illness and unfortunately too many animals lay victim to this sort of illness. I'm just glad people were able to step in and help these helpless dogs and cats. Thank goodness for the volunteers.
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