CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Citrus County Animal Services has received more than a dozen animal cruelty cases this year alone, almost twice as much as it has seen in over five years.
What You Need To Know
- Citrus County Animal Services has received an increased number of animal cruelty cases compared to previous years
- Chief veterinarian Meaghan Mielo said it takes time to get animals ready for adoption
- Animal service director Colleen Yarbrough says whether it’s funding or housing, the goal is to make sure every animal is safe, healthy and comfortable
Colleen Yarbrough took over as the animal service director in 2018.
“We are insanely busy right now," she said. "It may not look like it if anyone comes to the shelter right now. Most of the animals can’t be seen or in the public’s eye at this point.”
Many of the animals come from animal cruelty cases.
“In the past year, we’ve honestly had an insane increase in the amount of animal cruelty cases that are prosecuted in Citrus County in general so we’ve been seen a ramp-up of animals that have come in," chief veterinarian Meaghan Mielo explained.
She said there’s a process before any animal is ready for adoption.
“It can be a really lengthy process," Mielo continued. "It starts with us just doing complete forensic exams on them here so it’s basically a full physical exam with nothing left out.”
The shelter has 68 permanent kennels. As of Monday morning, it had 70 dogs alone. Every day, it is taking in more animals because it has to.
Yarbrough said she’s asking any family who is able to help out by adopting or fostering.
All the animals shown in this story are all ready for their furever home
Rhonda Traynor, who stopped by the animal shelter Tuesday morning, was looking to lend a hand.
"We own property, we can take them off their hands 'til they can find a home and the little animals, we can help out with some of those," Traynor said. "The outburst of community shows you that we’re good people out here still.”
Unfortunately, the farm animals she was hoping to adopt were not ready to find their home yet.
As Mielo explained, it's a lengthy process starting the moment an animal is taken from a neglected home to when they are ready for adoption.
She told Bay News 9 the process can take up to a year depending on how the case is being processed in court.
The staff is making use of every square inch on their property to house the animals they receive. They have emptied out their storage facility to make additional room as well.
Yarbrough said in dire times like this, “We reach out to our community partners as well as state and national agencies to provide assistance.”
Whether it’s funding or housing, the goal is to make sure every animal is safe, healthy and comfortable.
Yarbrough is asking the local community to donate food, toys or supplies if they are not able to adopt or foster.
A list of what the animal service is looking for right now can be found below:
- Purina dog chow
- Purina cat chow
- Purina kitten chow
- Canned dog food (pate style)
- Canned cat food (pate style)
- Toys
- Bedding
- Goat feed
- Timothy hay
- Potbelly pig feed
Anyone interested in donating can call the office at (352) 746-8400 and set up a time to drop any items off.