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Dozens of Animals Seized From Rescue Shelter

411 views · Published 31 August 2013 · 2:24 · Indexed 29 September 2026

Channel: NBC 15 · 2013 · News & Politics

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SEMMES, Ala. (WPMI) Officials are investigating possible animal cruelty after dozens of dogs and cats were found living outside in the scorching heat in filthy conditions. 
Now the Mobile County Animal Shelter and the Animal Rescue Foundation are asking for donations to help care for the animals they seized from the Safe Haven Animal Care Kennel in Semmes, otherwise known as The Shack.
The District Attorney will have to decide whether to press charges. 
County investigators said the conditions at The Shack were unacceptable and unsafe. But the owner said she was doing the best she could with the resources she had, and always has the animals best interest at heart. 
About a year and a half ago, The Shack's owner, Robbie Fitzgerald, opened the rescue shelter behind her home in Semmes. They take in abused and neglected animals, and help them find good homes. 
On Friday, when Local 15 went out to the location, cages and shacks on the property were empty, after the Mobile County Animal Shelter seized 63 dogs and cats.
I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about these animals. You know, I don't do what I do to have them go back to the shelter and I just want them to find good homes, cried Fitzgerald. 
There were conditions there we considered very unsafe for the animals, said Humane Officer Carmelo Miranda. 
Officials said nearly all the animals have ringworm, fleas, tics and other medical conditions that weren't being properly treated.
The dogs are exposed to the weather elements at all times. If it's 90 degrees then they're exposed to that. If it's storming, raining, they're exposed to that.We just wanted to give them a chance to have a better life, said animal cruelty investigator Deanna Kelley. 
The county's investigation began in June after two dogs died from heat stroke inside a shed after an air conditioning unit went out. 
They were stacked in kennels on top of each other inside this room. Eighteen of them. All 18 were suffering from heat exhaustion, said Kelley. 
Then on Sunday, a dog was severely injured after another dog attacked it. 
Fitzgerald said watching the county take away the animals she spends at least 12 hours a day caring for, was more than she could bear. 
It's very hard. A lot of the animals we have are not exactly what every home is looking for, but you know, we love them, said Fitzgerald. 
The animals cannot be adopted until the court case is over.  But they are safe and enjoying air conditioning.
To read more, click this link: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/operation-s-h-a-c-k-rescue/84025

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