92 cats and dogs rescued from Stuart home in largest animal hoarding case Martin County Sheriff has ever seen
(Cover photo: 77-year-old Gail Giustino charged with one count of Animal Cruelty and one count of Confinement of Animals Without Sufficient Exercise, bond is $50,000.00)
STUART, Fla. — What began as an investigation into reports of a mail carrier collecting stray cats has resulted in one of the largest animal rescue operations in Martin County history, with authorities removing 92 animals — 80 cats and 12 dogs — from a single Stuart home and describing the conditions inside the residence as among the worst they have ever encountered.
The rescue unfolded July 20 at a home on Southwest Meadowlark Circle in Stuart’s Foxwood community after the Martin County Sheriff’s Office secured a search warrant following repeated attempts by Animal Services officers to inspect the property. Investigators said the homeowner, 77-year-old Gail Giustino, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and confinement of animals without sufficient exercise.
~
According to Sheriff John Budensiek, deputies entering the home found extreme conditions, including no working air conditioning, little ventilation and animal waste covering portions of the floor to a depth of nearly one foot. The environment was considered hazardous enough that Martin County Fire Rescue’s HAZMAT Team was called in to ventilate the residence before rescuers could safely begin removing the animals.
~
Authorities spent hours carrying cages from the home, eventually transporting all 92 animals to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, where veterinarians and shelter staff immediately began medical evaluations.
The shelter reports many of the rescued animals are underweight and suffering from hair loss, skin problems, dental disease and other health concerns associated with prolonged overcrowding and poor living conditions. While some of the cats appear to be feral, others are friendly and are expected to become candidates for adoption once they receive medical treatment, vaccinations and spay or neuter procedures.
~
Sheriff Budensiek said investigators do not believe Giustino intended to harm the animals. Instead, authorities believe she had been collecting feral cats while working her U.S. Postal Service delivery route, believing she was rescuing them but ultimately becoming overwhelmed and unable to provide adequate care.
“She thought she was helping,” the sheriff said, explaining that the criminal charges were also necessary to obtain a search warrant, remove the animals from the unsafe environment and prevent additional animals from being brought into the home while she receives assistance.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said investigators are also working to ensure Giustino receives appropriate support services.
~
One of the most encouraging developments since the rescue has been the identification of pets with families searching for missing companions. As of July 22, authorities had positively identified the owners of five animals, with additional identifications expected as rescued pets continue to be scanned for microchips.
~
Appointments have begun for reunions between owners and recovered pets, although officials are requiring anyone who believes a missing animal may be among those rescued to first file a lost pet report with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office before scheduling a visit with the Humane Society.
The case has prompted emotional responses from area residents who have spent months—or even years—searching for missing cats. Some said body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office gave them hope that pets they feared were gone forever might still be alive.
~
The rescue also highlighted the collaborative effort required to remove and care for such a large number of animals. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Division, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast and Martin County Fire Rescue personnel worked around the clock during and after the operation to assess each animal’s condition, provide emergency care and begin the lengthy process of determining ownership.
Officials say the investigation remains active, and the rescued animals are not yet available for adoption while medical treatment and ownership verification continue.
~
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who believes one of the rescued animals may belong to them to contact Animal Services and file a missing pet report so ownership can be verified.
Video:
(Sheriff John Budensiek provides details about an active hoarding and animal rescue case)
~
(Sources: Martin County Sheriff’s Office, WPTV, WPBF 25 News, CBS12 News)
(Cover photo: Gail Giustino, mugshot, Image credit: MCSO)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
