CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Nearly 350 parakeets, 10 rabbits, a number of lizards, and a hedgehog are receiving check-ups from local veterinarians after being seized from Pets and More Plus, a pet shop inside the Corpus Christi Trade Center, on Friday.
Over the next few days, they will all be documented and treated, and once the information is gathered it will be presented to a judge who will decide what's next for these animals and their owner.
Sheltering and caring for the exotic animals would have been a huge undertaking for Animal Care Services alone, so the parakeets and lizards temporarily are being housed at a local rescue clinic that volunteered its services and facilities. The rest of the animals remain at Animal Care Services, and one-by-one, they are undergoing basic health checks.
"So our goal right now, for the next few days, is just to continue to monitor them and to continue to feed them and keep them comfortable and happy," said Mike Gillis, program manager of Animal Care Services.
Because the rescue doesn't have the staff to care for 300 parakeets, they will be returned to Animal Care Services after they are properly examined.
Gillis tells KRIS 6 News the animals are all doing much better than they were on Friday, and that one hamster died at the pet shop.
The results of the investigation must be presented to a judge within 10 days of the raid: in this case, next Monday. That judge will decide if the pet-shop owner will face animal cruelty charges.
