Photos for Headline Surfer / Scene setter from Journey's End animal sanctuary in DeLand. Bow, Adam Leath, animal control officer for Volusia County.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DELAND, Fla. -- Volusia County Sheriff's deputies and animal control officers responded to Journey’s End on Mercers Fernery Road at approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to begin executing a warrant giving authority to remove any animals from the property that are deemed to require immediate medical care.
The search warrant was issued on Monday, following a report from veterinarian Dr. Rachel Barton, who inspected Journey’s End and identified opportunities for county intervention. While well-intentioned, Journey’s End operations are not suited to the proportion of animals and the level of care they require.
In an effort to ensure optimal and humane care of the animals, any animals removed from Journey’s End will be taken to undisclosed locations for the provision of acute veterinary care.
Many of the animals at Journey’s End are highly adoptable, and it is the county’s goal to ensure the animals at Journey’s End receive the necessary care they need while ameliorating their quality of life.
“Our concern is and always will be for the welfare of animals,” said Adam Leath, the county’s director of animal services. “It’s all about ensuring the quality of care for the animals.”
Many of the animals at Journey’s End are highly adoptable, and it is the county’s goal to ensure the animals at Journey’s End receive the necessary care they need while ameliorating their quality of life.
“Our concern is and always will be for the welfare of animals,” said Adam Leath, the county’s director of animal services. “It’s all about ensuring the quality of care for the animals.”
Volusia County Animal Services, the County Attorney’s Office and the Volusia County Animal Control Advisory Board have all been working for months with Journey’s End’s counsel to collaborate on a plan to bring the facility up to acceptable standards while simultaneously providing information, guidance and suggestions with opportunities to improve the operations and to stimulate a positive outcome.