Eighty-two animals removed Tuesday from a local pet store were cooling in the 72 degrees of McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center on Wednesday.
"They're all going to go through the process of our vet checking them," said McKamey Executive Director Karen Walsh.
The animals, a mixture of dogs, rabbits, a ferret and "pocket pets" such as hamsters and mice, were removed from The Pet Company at Hamilton Place mall Tuesday after state officials and center employees issued 40 citations over the health and safety of the animals.
The most severe problem noted was no air conditioning for more than three weeks.
Ms. Walsh and a Tennessee Department of Agriculture inspector went to The Pet Company at 7 a.m. Tuesday and started removing animals, but they were called to court Tuesday afternoon after attorney Andrew Pippenger, representing the pet store's parent company, filed an injunction to stop the removal. The request was denied, and McKamey employees returned to the store and worked until 10 p.m. to remove the animals and place them at McKamey, Ms. Walsh said.
Neither Mr. Pippenger nor United Pet Supply, the New Jersey-based company that owns the pet store, could be reached for comment Wednesday.
ANIMALS REMOVED* 32 dogs* 6 rabbits* 1 ferret* 1 guinea pig* 42 pocket pets -- hamsters, miceSource: McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center
Local residents began a petition to close the store shortly after its 2004 opening and have gathered more than 4,200 signatures in support.
Ms. Walsh said McKamey has received complaints since December, and her staff members have visited the store seven times in six months.
Hamilton Place spokeswoman Catharine Wells said mall managers were "unaware of the recent conditions inside the store and are working closely with local authorities and The Pet Company to resolve the situation."
Citing tenant confidentiality agreements, Ms. Wells said she could not answer whether there had been previous complaints made to the mall about the store's conditions.
A judge in Chattanooga City Court will hear the case on June 24 at 9 a.m. At that time, McKamey will seek custody of the animals, Ms. Walsh said, and, if granted, they will be adopted out to qualified applicants.
"We've actually had a tremendous response of people who want to give these animals homes," she said.
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Article: Pet store animals taken to McKamey after months of complaints