Several Central Florida rescue groups stepped up this week to take in about 200 dogs and cats from a foreclosed Orange County home and say they are in need of supplies and donations as they care for the neglected pets.
According to a Facebook post by the New Beginning Pet Rescue, the organization and Florida Little Dog Rescue responded to a home where the owners were being evicted as part of a foreclosure.
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“It was horrifying to see how terrified these animals were and capturing them was terribly taxing both physically and mentally,” the post read.
Organizers with Florida Little Dog Rescue, in St. Cloud, said the home was in Orange County and the Sheriff’s Office was involved.
Photos shared by the rescue groups show deplorable conditions inside the home and some of the neglected pets.
Some of the dogs rescued are staying at Joel Slaven's Professional Animals facility in Osceola County. Trainer Siobhan Simmons said this was the first time many of them have been outside.
"They're not used to being around other people. They've never actually stepped foot out of that house as far as we know," Simmons said.
The rescue groups said they weren't expecting this many animals that needed to be rescued.
“As far as we know we can tell it’s good nature, good heart. They wanted to adopt one animal and it just snowballed from there,” Simmons said.
Both rescue groups are accepting donations to help cover food and supplies and need foster homes for the animals. Click here to donate to Florida Little Dog Rescue and click here to donate to New Beginnings Rescue and contact sbigthumbs@aol.com for more information about fostering.
“We really hope that everyone finds the Christmas spirit and hopefully can reach out to and help out in any way,” Simmons said. “Every little bit is going to help, even if it’s a couple dollars or if you have extra blankets or extra dog toys. Anything that can help out would be great.”
The animals will need to receive veterinary care before they can be adopted out.