200 dogs, cats found living in foreclosed home in Florida

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

After more than 200 cats and dogs were found in a foreclosed Orange County, Florida, home over the weekend, workers found another 20 cats living behind the drywall of the 1,200-square-foot home Thursday.

Officials said all the animals have been removed and are being cared for after a family member of one of the two men who lived in the home called an animal rescue for help.

Laurie Johnson, from Florida Little Dog Rescue, said many of the dogs are not used to human contact.

"They're not even used to people. Some of these dogs are scared to death just from people touching them and picking them up," veterinarian Dr. Matt Walter said.

He said several of the dogs are pregnant and others are too afraid to be checked out by veterinarians.

Johnson said the dogs have been fed and were not physically abused but many have medical issues that could take months to rehab before they can be adopted.

"Some of the others get so worked up that they are breathing so heavy it's almost like having a panic attack for the dogs, hyperventilating," Johnson said.

Rescuers believe that the dogs were living in these conditions for years but said that the two men living inside the home will not face any charges.

The dogs are still spread out at different rescues across Central Florida. A spokesperson for the county said that animal services was not involved in the case.

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