Community Corner

Homes Sought for Dogs, Cats Seized in Abuse Case

The animals were taken from a St. Petersburg home in March and were under the care of an animal rescue group's board members.

Pinellas County Animal Services will soon be on the hunt for homes for dozens of dogs and cats rescued from poor conditions a few weeks ago.

The county announced Thursday that it had gained legal custody of 51 animals seized from a home at 4162 13th Ave. N. in St. Petersburg back on March 24. The county seized a total of 59 animals during that case that was prompted by an animal abuse complaint.

“Three dogs and one cat were humanely euthanized because of their deteriorated medical conditions,” the county wrote in an email to media. “Four dogs are being held pending litigation.”

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Most of the animals will be available for adoption starting Monday, April 20, the county’s email stated.

The case that resulted in the county taking the animals unfolded back in March when authorities visited the 13th Avenue North home. St. Petersburg Police ultimately ended up charging Patricia Gates Scites, 67, and Veronica Anne Faulseit, 48, with three counts each of misdemeanor animal cruelty. The dogs, cats, raccoons and various other creatures were discovered in poor conditions at Faulseit’s home.

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At the time of the arrests, police said that Scites and Faulseit were both board members of All Creatures Great and Small Wildlife Inc., an animal rescue.

To find out about adopting one of the dogs or cats, visit the county’s shelter at 12450 Ulmerton Road in Largo. The shelter is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the adoption center closing at 5:30 p.m. The shelter is also open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more details, visit the shelter’s website.

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