florida times
Four puppies and a young dog drowned when a flash flood triggered by rain from Tropical Storm Debby sent water from Alligator Creek pouring into the Bradford County Animal Control and Shelter in Starke. "We had moved the puppies up to the high end of the shelter, thinking they would be safe there " said Capt. Carol Starling of the Bradford County Sheriff's Office, who oversees the animal shelter. Personnel also had laid down sand bags and dug drainage trenches around the building as a precaution to protect animals inside. Slideshow: First Coast roads hit by flooding Slideshow: How Florida is dealing with Debby In addition county crews previously had cleaned out the creek in an effort to keep it running freely and within its banks, she said. "We all feel so bad ... We never expected the creek would rise this fast and this high and we really felt the ditches would handle it if it came out of the bank," Starling said. All appeared fine late Sunday night they last checked the shelter, which is within about 20 yards of the creek. In the wee hours of the morning, however, water breached the shelter. It rose nearly knee-deep inside where the animals were held, she said. The bull dog/house mix puppies that died were part of a large litter recently brought to the shelter along with their mother. The animals were waiting to be picked up by a rescue group, when they were caught in the flood, Starling said. It appeared that the mother dog had tried to save all her puppies but couldn't. Shelter staff discovered the flooded building shortly before 7 a.m., Starling said. The surviving animals, about 60 dogs, cats and kittens immediately were evacuated to safety on higher ground at the county fairgrounds by sheriff's deputies and animal control personnel, she said. The mother dog and surviving litter mates have been picked up by a rescue group. Other rescue groups arrived throughout the day to help and pick up animals, she said. The flooding destroyed much of the shelter's stock of dog food and cat litter. It would welcome donations of pet food as well as cat litter, clean towels and small bath rugs in good condition that can be used in the animals pens, Starling said. As rain began falling about 4 p.m., Starling said it's likely the shelter animals will remain at the fairgrounds for about four or five days. Once it stop raining and the creek recedes, personnel will clean the shelter and make sure it is safe. People who want to help or donate pet supplies to the shelter, may call Starling at (352) 494-2249. [email protected], (904) 359-4075 Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville com/news/florida/2012-06-25/story/puppies-dog-drown-when-bradford-animal-shel er-floods?amp#.T-mm9g7ZdRE.facebook#ixzz1yx9Fe2cd I just received an update from the rescue: Monday update from TARAA - Mama Melissa (Mel) was a real hero saving as many of her babies as she could. This is ...Mel. She is so sweet and such a good mama. They are safe, warm well fed, and resting comfortably in their new dry digs. 5 of the pups are doing well, but little Kayla is only 1.25 pounds compared to her 3-4 pound sibblings, and has fluid in her lungs. Doc took care of treating her today and we will pray for the best. She is separated from mama and sibblings because she needs round the clock attention so for now I will be her mom. I will post multiple pics in the following posts. Thank you all for your support. Brooks, a little chi rescued from Bradford County today. He no longer is in a cage, and is being well fed and loved in his new foster home. Mason a dobie pup 3 months old The Bradford Animal Shelter Additionally Needs Donations of Food, Litter, Rugs & Towels The flooding destroyed much of the shelter's stock of dog food and cat litter. It would welcome donations of pet food as well as cat litter, clean towels and small bath rugs in good condition that can be used in the animals pens, Starling said. As rain began falling about 4 p.m., Starling said it's likely the shelter animals will remain at the fairgrounds for about four or five days. Once it stop raining and the creek recedes, personnel will clean the shelter and make sure it is safe. People who want to help or donate pet supplies to the shelter, may call Starling at (352) 494-2249. If you are in the area and wish to offer foster or help the rescue with donations for the care of the animals rescued from Bradford County, please go to: http://www.taraajax.com/ or http://www.facebook com/pages/TARAA-The-Animal-Rescue-Adoption-Agency/110032992375563 The Animal Rescue & Adoption Agency, Inc., also known as TARAA, is a 501c3 non profit, no kill organization for the welfare and protection of animals. The Animal Rescue & Adoption Agency (TARAA) Jacksonville, FL 32226
