More Than 2 Dozen Abused Dogs Now Available for Adoption in Broward

The dogs were taken to the Humane Society of Broward last week after the operator of a pet rescue center was charged with 53 counts of animal cruelty.

More than two dozen small dogs rescued in an animal abuse investigation are now available for adoption.

The 25 dogs were taken to the Humane Society of Broward County last Thursday after the operator of a South Florida pet rescue center was arrested on animal cruelty charges.

Prosecutors said 40-year-old Gisela Tacao kept hundreds of animals in a "squalid warehouse."

Authorities said hundreds of animals were subjected to "deplorable conditions" after Tacao took them in at Gigi's Rescue in Hialeah, a site an arrest warrant described as "a fairly small, poorly ventilated warehouse" with feces and urine visible throughout the building. Tacao was licensed to start the rescue, located at 269 West 24th Street, in 2011 and began taking in pets from Miami-Dade Animal Services, according to the arrest warrant.

Tacao was charged with 53 felony counts of animal cruelty, based on the number of animals examined

The Humane Society said the 25 dogs under its care range in age from one to 15 or more years and the majority are Chihuahuas or mixes. Humane Society vets have examined and vaccinated each dog. They said some of the dogs need some socialization and many have special medical needs that will require families who can devote their time to them and will do best in a quiet home.

Because the dogs are still evidence in an ongoing case, those who adopt the dogs may be called by the State Attorney's Office.

For questions on adopting these dogs, contact the Humane Society of Broward at 954-989-3977.

Contact Us