CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — The owner of Critterville, an animal shelter in Citrus County, has been charged with 39 counts of animal cruelty, officials with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said.

Authorities said that CCSO deputies and Animal Control Officers (ACO) responded to a home last week off East Yale Lane in Hernando following a call for service, requesting a well-being check on the animals located there. Law enforcement had been monitoring the home for several years.

When they arrived, they were led to the backyard, where they found several dirty sheds and enclosures where most of the animals were housed, according to officials. As they investigated the area, authorities noticed a strong odor of ammonia and found floors that were soaked in urine, litterboxes that were overflowing and fecal matter scattered across nearly every surface.

Several cats that were extremely sick and covered in fleas with urine and feces matted into their fur, according to the sheriff's office. After opening one cage, ACOs found a cat that was assumed to have been dead for multiple days.

CCSO officials said that the patio was also cluttered with debris, and found extremely small cages containing five dogs. Next to those cages, they found a refrigerator filled with rotten food and dead maggots. After ACOs opened the freezer door, they found two blankets wrapped around a large item and zip-tied shut. After opening it, they found two dead cats.

Authorities found dozens of animals that were neglected at Critterville, an animal shelter in Citrus County. (Courtesy of Citrus County Sheriff’s Office)

Officials initially found several more dogs and cats inside the home with oily, matted fur and covered in fleas. Most of these animals were sick with numerous other medical issues, authorities said. Officials also reported thirteen more cats that were found covered in fleas in a room in the back of the house.

"It's disturbing to see animal abuse and neglect cases in Citrus County — this is an inexcusable act. This so-called shelter' is undeniably repulsive to see," said CCSO Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "I am proud of our ACO team for vigilantly following up on this case and thankful for our partnership with the Citrus County Animal Shelter. These teams work endlessly to assist these helpless animals and provide them with the proper care that they deserve."

Officials said that all animals at the residence were seized by CCSO ACOs and transported to the Citrus County Animal Shelter for evaluation. A total of 42 animals, which included 35 cats and seven dogs, were rescued from the residence, authorities said.

The owner of Critterville, 56-year-old Lisa Bennett, was placed under arrest and charged with 39 counts of animal cruelty and four counts of aggravated animal cruelty with a total bond of $47,000, officials with the sheriff’s office said.