St. Johns Animal Control Gets Crowded As Humane Society Closes
Florida East Coast Humane Society To Close Oct. 31
The closure of the Florida East Coast Humane Society at the end of October could create a strain on the resources of St. Johns County Animal Control.Animal Control said it's already busting at the seams and is expecting to get even more crowded. Last month, officials said business increased by 43 percent in terms of the number animals brought into the facility.The Florida East Coast Humane Society recently announced it would be closing its doors on Oct. 31 because of financial troubles. Many of its animals that are not adopted by then could end up at animal control.Since the Humane Society stopped taking in strays last month, animal control said it has picked up an additional 200 animals.To prepare for the next influx of animals, dog pens will be divided in half and an additional 250 cat carriers will be brought into the facility. Also, the former drop-off area will be used as a holding center."The staff is pretty much on the edge about what to expect. We're keeping our fingers crossed, staying positive. No matter what they throw at us, we'll handle it," said Paul Studivant of animal control.In the meantime, animal control has been working to get more animals adopted, even offering a special to help bring down its cat population.Niqui Lynch and her son were at animal control in search of two cats to adopt after hearing that the humane society was shutting down."We want them to just have a good, loving home, and obviously they will," Lynch said.Laura Pike told Channel 4 she instantly fell in love with a 2-year-old terrier, especially after he was given a bath. She said she has the time, patience and money to do her part."Well, I know I could give it a good home, and there's just too many strays out there and too many puppies. I think this one will get a good home," Pike said.Animal control has also extended it hours on Saturday and has put calls out to other humane societies and rescue groups to help if overcrowding becomes a serious issue.The Humane Society said it still has 75 pets that need to be adopted before it closes at the end of the month. For more information about adopting an animal, call the Florida East Coast Humane Society at 904-829-2737 or St. Johns County Animal Control at 904-209-6190.
Copyright 2009 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Copyright 2009 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Investigators say a Bradford County woman who got pulled over for speeding tried to work her way out of a ticket by offering sex to the officer who pulled her over.
A fire of a mobile home the Ocala Estates area Saturday morning morning left five people dead.
A Clay County woman has been arrested for reportedly trying to kill her own child.
Police say a 22-year-old man shot by an undercover police officer is rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Video: 22-Year-Old Taken To Shands
Tim Tebow ran for a touchdown and threw for
a pair of scores, as top-ranked Florida extended the nation's longest winning
streak to 21 straight games with a 62-3 rout of Florida International at the
Swamp.
Watch highlights from the first round of the Florida playoffs and second round of the Georgia playoffs on Football Friday on 4.
Watch more highlights from the first round of the Florida playoffs and second round of the Georgia playoffs on Football Friday on 4.
Baker County knocked off Madison County 26-17 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. The Wildcats will face Tallahassee Godby in the regional finals next week.
Twenty eight NFL and NBA cheerleaders use their dance skills and personalities to raise the morale of soldiers both at home and overseas.
Capturing N.E. Florida's wanted suspects is a tough task, so the local station is trying to help with the Wheel of Justice. Every Thursday morning, the wheel spins and a wanted fugitive is profiled.
Images: Fugitives On 'Wheel'
SEE IT, SNAP IT, SEND IT: Thousands of eyes and nearly as many cameras pointed toward the sky over Jacksonville's beaches this weekend for the Sea & Sky Spectacular.
Email Alerts
RSS News Feeds
Mobile
Live Streams
Slideshows
Video
Search
