Palm City, FL/CBS12 News — People who’ve lost a cat or dog are coming to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City, hoping their animal is among the dozens of cats and dogs seized from the home of a Stuart woman who sheriff’s deputies say was hoarding them.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says the number of animals that Gail Giustino, 77, was hoarding has increased to 100, with a total of 83 cats and 17 dogs.
Several more cats that ran out of Giustino’s home Monday when authorities were there with a search warrant, were trapped and have been turned over to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
“I was so happy for all the people that are gonna get their kittens or cats back. That wasn’t us today, but we keep praying when she’ll return,” said Heather Peck, a Palm City resident who came to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, looking for her cat Bella Rose that’s been missing since May.
Giustino was arrested Monday on misdemeanor charges of improper care of animals and animal abuse. Deputies initially removed 80 cats and 12 dogs from her home on Southwest Meadowlark Circle.
Martin County deputies arrested Gail Giustino, 77, on a second-degree misdemeanor animal cruelty charge and a first-degree misdemeanor charge of confining an animal without sufficient food or water. (Martin County Jail)
Sheriff John Budensiek said the animals were living without air conditioning or adequate food, water or ventilation. He said portions of the home were covered by several inches of animal waste. A HAZMAT team was called to ventilate the house before crews could continue removing the animals.
Many of the animals were underweight or suffering from skin problems, hair loss, dental disease and other health issues, according to the Humane Society.
Investigators said Giustino, a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, had been collecting cats she encountered along her mail route. While some were initially believed to be feral, microchip scans showed that several were missing pets whose owners had been searching for them.
Some of the animals had traceable microchips, and several have already been reunited with their families.
Linh Nguyen gets her cat, Patchy, back on Wednesday. Nguyen said the cat had been missing since January. Seven months later, she learned he was among the 80 cats and 12 dogs removed from the home of 77-year-old Gail Giustino. (WPEC)
Among them was Patchy, a cat who had been missing since January. His owner, Linh Nguyen, was reunited with him Wednesday after nearly seven months apart.
“I feel like I got back a family member. It’s like a child to me,” Nguyen said. “I lost all my hope. I didn’t expect to ever see him again.”
Other families have visited the shelter but left without finding their missing pets. Peck said she remains hopeful Bella Rose will eventually be found.
The rescued animals are receiving veterinary examinations, vaccines and other care. Those who are not reunited with their owners could eventually be made available for adoption once they are healthy and cleared by investigators.