Rabbits among the abandoned animals that SD Humane officers say they rescued from a closed pet store / Photo: SD Humane

by Katerina Lorenzatos Makris

You’re trapped in a small, filthy cage. You depend entirely on humans for your every need. Suddenly the humans go away. You and dozens of other animals wait. The wait goes on for days. It’s August, and the temperature soars. You have no water, no food. Some of the others around you begin to die…

That was the scene for dozens of animals who were allegedly abandoned inside Dave’s Family Feed Store in Lemon Grove, California last week after the store closed down, according to San Diego Humane Society and SPCA.

SD Humane Public Relations Coordinator Kelli Herwehe told Animal Issues Reporter that after receiving several complaints from members of the community, the group’s law enforcement personnel served a search warrant on the business and entered to seize more than 30 animals, including 16 birds, 11 chickens, rodents, reptiles and a python snake.

Six of the animals were dead, said Herwehe­­—guinea pigs, a duckling and birds.

“The other animals were housed in unhealthy conditions and often left without water,” reported Randy Lawrence, Director of Humane Law Enforcement at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA. “Our Humane Officers will review the evidence collected during the search and file charges, which could potentially include California Health and Safety Code violations and potential animal cruelty and neglect.”

Pending possible charges—perhaps felonies—the name of the store’s owner is being withheld, Herwehe explained. Until the investigation is completed none of the animals will be available for adoption, but they are receiving full veterinary exams and care at the San Diego Humane Society.

“The animals are getting the care they need,” she said, “and they seem to be in good condition now.”  The chickens and ducks are in off-site facilities that can specially accommodate their housing and care.

Herwehe added that donations to help the animals would be appreciated. “Whenever we take in this many animals of a variety of breeds, they require special food, enclosures, medical treatment and extra staffing to care for them.”

Donations may be made to San Diego Humane Society and SPCA.

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