JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Nearly two dozen dogs have been taken from a local dog rescue over concerns for the dogs' health. Pit Sisters, a nonprofit rescue group, was caring for the dogs.
RELATED: Dog rehabilitation organization may shut down over Nassau County zoning district
"Our response was a direct result of community members reaching out to us very concerned about what was going on," said Denise Deisler, CEO of the Jacksonville Humane Society.
At 5:30: The @jaxhumane now has 22 more dogs — picked up from Pit Sisters, a non-profit rescue group over concerns for the dogs’ health.
— Amber Krycka (@AmberANjax) September 27, 2019
“Our response was a direct result of community members reaching out to us very concerned about what was going on.” pic.twitter.com/dX5RyJARXn
Now the Jacksonville Humane Society has 22 more dogs. Deisler said several people reached out to them about the welfare of the dogs with Pit Sisters at its Mandarin location. Pit Sisters is a nonprofit that rescues abandoned or abused dogs and trains them to become more adoptable. The president of the organization, Jen Deane, said their vet expenses for last year were more than $130,000.
The humane society is now caring for those 22 dogs.
"We're first going to let them chill out. They've been in crates, in different circumstances. We just need to give them time to relax and get used to their environment," said Deisler.
Deisler said two national organizations will be coming in next week to see what's next for the dogs.
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"Are they sanctuary candidates, are they euthanasia candidates, are they adoption candidates?" Deisler said.
Deane sent Action News Jax a statement. Part of it said, "Our mission remains unchanged, we will continue to advocate for the dogs that need us most."
Deane also said she's working on a major announcement that she said will help more at-risk dogs. She said she will be announcing details soon.
Earlier this week, Action News Jax was at Deane's 22-acre location in Nassau County – where she lives and houses rescued dogs. But the county said it's not allowed. Because volunteers help Deane care for these dogs there, the county believes Deane is running a dog treatment facility on the property, which requires a conditional use in this zoning district.
A message from Pit Sisters Executive Director Jen Deane: Pit Sisters is, and has always been, all about the dogs....
Posted by Pit Sisters on Friday, September 27, 2019
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