150 Exotic Animals Are Rescued From ‘Shop Of Horrors’

150 exotic animals were suffering in a large-scale severe neglect situation at a local pet store in what authorities are calling a “shop of horrors.”

The Humane Society of the United States has been working alongside the Burnside Police Department to rescue these poor animals from Tim’s Reptiles and Exotics in Kentucky.

When local authorities showed up with a search and seizure warrant, they found dozens of snakes, lizards, turtles, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and fish living in deplorable conditions.

The fish were living in murky water, the guinea pigs and turtles were living in the same dirty enclosure, and the majority of animals were left without food or water. Hamsters were shoved into inadequate cages, and rabbits were forced to stand on painful wire floors in empty cages.

“I was shocked to see animals living in these conditions,” Chief Mike Hill of Burnside Police Department told HSUS. “It is a great relief to all of us here that these animals will have an opportunity to be rehabilitated, thanks to the help from the Humane Society of the United States and everyone involved in making this happen today.”

Rescuers examined the animals on scene before surrendering them to the Burnside Police Department. From there, they will receive specialized care through various organizations including Liberty Nature Center, Thoroughbred Exotics, Bourbon County Rescue, Paws 4 the Cause, Lexington Humane Society, and KY Fish and Tank Rescue. These organizations will be taking in the animals and giving them the life they deserve.

The pet store owner, Timothy Lorraine, was arrested and charged with 19 counts of animal cruelty.