More Than 900 Animals Rescued From Pet Store

This past weekend, the Houston SPCA partnered with the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office to rescue companion and exotic animals from inhumane conditions at a pet store. Located near the 14,000 block of State Highway 6 in Santa Fe, TX, The List Pet Store was served a seizure warrant for more than 800 animals on the property. According to officials, this pet store has been the subject of multiple animal cruelty investigations in the past several years.

Upon arriving, our investigators discovered that the property had been hastily cleaned in an attempt to hide the neglect and unhealthy conditions these animals were living in. However, there were clear signs that the animals were not receiving proper care or living spaces, as investigators found dead mice, fish, and a bird.

“Despite multiple opportunities to improve the welfare of their animals, the persistent neglect at this business left us no choice but to work with law enforcement to intervene and rescue those animals,” said Josh Sailor, Chief of Cruelty Investigations.

Our ambulance, vet, and investigator team sprang into action, listing every animal found and preparing them for transport to our campus. Multiple transport vans were used to carefully load the hundreds of animals. Our teams spent all day well into the night counting animals, transporting them to our hospital, giving them individualized medical attention, and prioritizing every animal’s safety.

In total, 928 animals were rescued and brought into our care. Among the companion animals saved were three puppies, seven kittens, and one dog. Small mammals included rabbits, hedgehogs, ducks, chickens, small birds, and quail. More exotic species that were found on the property included large tortoises and two peacocks. Other animals included hundreds of fish, an assortment of reptiles and arachnids. These animals will all receive proper medical care from our veterinary staff while awaiting a court date to determine custody of the animals.

While pet stores are often a popular place to find adoptable pets, we rely on our community to report negligence and keep businesses responsible and safe. The Houston SPCA receives more than 8,000 reports of animal cruelty every year. Report animal cruelty at 713.869.7722 or online at HoustonSPCA.org.