Rescue groups scramble to find homes for animals

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Friends of Freddie pet rescue, a nonprofit cat and dog rescue in Middle Island, Long Island, was the home to 40 cats and 120 dogs.

On Wednesday, Brookhaven town officials came in and told the rescue that they had 36 hours to find the animals a home. They were hit for not having a certificate of occupancy and were slapped with a list of fire code violations.

Within 36 hours, many of the animals were either adopted or fostered. But as of Friday night, 10 dogs and 40 cats were still in desperate need of a home.

The rescue was given an extension until Monday before the town shuts it down.

Just a few doors down, Paws Unite People, a rehabilitation center for sick and abused cats, was also notified it is not safe for its 47 furry friends to live here. They, too, have until Monday to find these felines a safe place. They, too, don't have a certificate of occupancy. Meredith Festa, who cares for these cats, says moving them to a new place can be risky for some them.

Fox 5 reached out to the management company but did not hear back as of Friday night.