"We're thankful the Department of Agriculture took action when they did," Rickey said.
The organization also once rescued 4,000 chickens in a cockfighting raid. That would be the second-largest companion animal rescue in the history of the ASPCA, which saved more than 700 cats in Florida in 2012, a spokeswoman said. Their number could reach 650 when the operation is complete, Rickey said. The ASPCA will soon petition in court for legal custody of the animals, and hopes all will be adopted. All had clean water and food and were getting check-ups. Others slept or watched visitors nervously. In another kennel, a light-colored pit bull mix was jumping excitedly.
One pure white dog sat on a bed at the edge of his kennel, legs crossed in genteel manner. The majority were in the ASPCA's warehouses located about an hour southwest of Raleigh, grouped in pods that attempted to follow how they were grouped at the Haven. One dog suffering from kidney failure was euthanized. Some were taken to specialists for treatment of injuries, such as a broken leg, or illnesses, ASPCA officials said. I would say they have dedicated their lives to basically taking care of them," Moore said Friday.įour of the rescued dogs were being treated for respiratory illnesses in a sick room, including a puppy that slept in a tiny ball at the back of her kennel.
"I think they have provided a tremendous service in terms of the community, and certainly for animals. She described the shelter as a well-maintained operation that has adopted out thousands of well-cared-for dogs and cats over the years. Nancy Moore, who is allowing the couple to stay at her Southern Pines home, said she has supported the Haven with donations for the past 10 years and visited regularly. Their attorney didn't return a message left by The Associated Press.Īn inspection by the state Agriculture Department in September found many deficiencies, including inadequate water and medical care.Īfter investigations following complaints in June and again Monday, and the Spears' failure to correct shortcomings found during last year's inspections, the veterinarian who leads the Agriculture Department's animal welfare section denied their application to be a legal animal shelter and warned Tuesday of thousands of dollars in fines if operations continued.
#The haven friends for life no kill animal shelter license
The animals had been held at The Haven-Friends for Life, a private shelter in Raeford that last had a license from the state in June 2015, managed by Stephen Joseph and Linden Spear, who appeared in court Thursday on animal cruelty charges. Build Back Better or boondoggle? Why Biden’s bill is so divisive.