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Department of Agriculture Audit Leads to an Increase in Animal Rescues

Missouri's Agriculture Department reports it's running out money for rescuing animals because of increases in rescues. Sara Lasure has the story from Jefferson Cit:

Funding for rescues comes from the Missouri Emergency Immediate Relief.

The program operates through the Department of Agriculture's Animal Care Facilities Act Program and a February audit found that the program needed improvement with inspecting regulating and licensing animal breeders and facilities.

According to Public Information Officer Sally Oxenhandler the department has made the necessary improvements and they come at a cost.

Oxenhandler said on average the program operates on only $5000 each year and it costs $5 a day to house and feed each animal and the money is funded soley through private donations.