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Residents allege record falsification at Alachua County animal shelter; county launches independent probe
Summary
Volunteers and shelter partners alleged falsified transfer and euthanasia records at Alachua County Animal Resources (ACAR), prompting the county to hire an independent investigator and pause use of one outside rescue while the probe proceeds. Commissioners outlined steps to improve documentation and search for a new shelter director.
Dozens of residents and volunteers pressed the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners on April 14 with detailed allegations that managers at the county animal shelter falsified records, used questionable outside rescues for transfers and improperly categorized euthanasia events.
Pamela Blacetti, who presented a timeline and document excerpts to the commission, said 15 ACAR dogs were transferred on paper to a rescue and then used in an on-site euthanasia training in late February and that another 11 dogs were moved to a contractor’s transport company. "These records were falsified by ACAR's management," Blacetti said, citing invoices and transfer logs and specific dates. She also detailed a $1,925 transport charge (about $175 per dog) and a $5,575 instructor invoice tied to euthanasia training.
Volunteers and foster partners said the transfers included animals that had been thriving in foster care. Catherine Maguire of All Paws Pet Kennel…
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