Dogs seized from hoarder ready for new homes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Less than a week after sixty one animals were seized from a woman neighbors called "Dog Lady," most are now ready for a new home.

The animals, mostly dogs, were given full medical exams to make sure that they were in good health. During that time, ACPS asked for foster homes for other animals to help with capacity issues, but they have already filled back up.

Wednesday, some of the animals were outside playing, ready for adoption.

"Over the weekend we did have people coming in to look for these dogs, but we wanted to make sure that, medically and behaviorally, they were cleared," said Nikki Harris, division chief of Animal Care and Protective Services. "We've done as much of that as we can."

On the cages, signs let people know which animals were a part of the hoarding case so people know there might need to be some extra cost at first. Some people have been asking to adopt these dogs.

After the animals were rescued on Thursday from a Murray Hill home where authorities described as conditions filthy and abusive, Audrey Burch was cited for failure to provide veterinary care, failure to vaccinate and license, noxious odors and an improper enclosure.

Burch told News4Jax on Wednesday that that she became overwhelmed by the number of animals, but tried to provide a safe place for them temporarily until she could find owners because they would be put down if they were taken to the shelter.

"It's always difficult to see them in the condition that they came in," Harris said of rescued animals. "The staff here, we are all here for the same reason: we want to make their lives better, we want to improve the lives of animals we get. The community really stepped up; they stepped up and came in to look for their lost pets; they came in to foster for us until the next adoption event. They came to adopt for us."

Anyone who would like to adopt these or other animals that need homes, Animal Care and Protective Services is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.