PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — With puppies in their hands, Putnam County leaders stood behind a podium and held an unusual and sweet new conference Thursday morning.
The subject matter: a dog rescue this week as 124 dogs had been seized by Thursday morning from a 10-acre property in Interlachen. It's the home to an elderly woman who fed the dogs, but she had more than she could handle.
Col. Joe Wells with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced no charges would be filed against her. “Due to the lack of spaying and neutering, the dogs reproduced at a rate at which she was unable to control. And due to no criminal intent, no mean intention, it just got out of control and she needed some help.
"There are still more on the scene," Wells noted.
These 100+ dogs have put a strain on the small Putnam County Animal Control Services.
However, donations have poured in. People have dropped off food, blankets, and even crates for the dogs.
Surrounding counties such as Clay and St. Johns have helped too.
Because the dogs are small, Animal Services staff say it needs food for puppies and small breeds.
There is also an Amazon wish list on the Putnam Animal Services site.
Donations are being accepted at the Putnam County Emergency Operations Center, Putnam County fire stations, and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.
Putnam County Administrator Terry Suggs said, "This was one of those opportunities that‘s a bad situation that we can absolutely bring good from."
Because of the outpouring of help regarding vaccinations and grooming, some of the dogs will be up for adoption Friday at the Board of County Commissioners Office at 2509 Crill Ave. in Palatka. It is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adoption fees have been waived. Donations can also be dropped off during the event.