DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne City Council voted unanimously Monday night (Feb. 6) to donate $2,500 toward the Baldwin County Humane Society’s (BARC!) massive rescue effort related to the Jan. 26 discovery of animal neglect at the Purple Hearted Puppies facility in Summerdale. Additional instances of alleged abandonment were found at a Robertsdale home owned by one of two women facing felony charges in the case.

“They’re in a situation now where they’re somewhat overwhelmed,” said Councilman Gus Palumbo in announcing his desire to make the money available to the nonprofit group. “It’s very expensive. If you have a pet, even a healthy pet, you know what it costs to have that pet taken to the vet. And now they have to put on 109 of these animals. The public has really given a tremendous response, including some donations, but it’s certainly not going to be enough.”

Palumbo said he emailed other council members over the weekend to let them know he would make the proposal during the regularly scheduled meeting as a way of addressing the need to help fund the operation. BARC! has for the last several years handled adoptions of animals pulled from the Daphne Animal Shelter, and has asked for no money in return.

Council President Cathy Barnette said she expects the gift to serve as a challenge to other Baldwin County municipalities to open their checkbooks. Authorized by the council, Daphne Mayor Bailey Yelding Jr. will now enter into a performance contract with BARC!, an enabling procedure required by state law.

Fran Druse, who serves on the BARC! board of directors, said, “The funds are much needed as everyone else is struggling to keep their budgets above water these days, BARC! is doing the same thing. This is the first time to my knowledge that we have experienced such a catastrophic emergency, and it’s heartbreaking but it only puts us in the place where we know we are being able to fill our mission.”

Druse said BARC! is responsible for covering the cost of all veterinary care, and well as housing, microchipping, spaying and neutering the surviving animals prior to their adoption. At last count, 66 dogs and 56 cats are still being cared for at vet clinics and animal rescue groups in Baldwin and Mobile counties, and the bills are stacking up, she said.

“We do appreciate your support and your help, and appreciate everyone who has helped us in this situation,” Druse said.

Roberta Dueitt and her daughter, Sharon, have been charged with multiple felonies related to the Purple Hearted Puppies case. More than 200 dead or dying animals were found at the Summerdale shelter and buried in shallow graves in an adjacent wooded area. Others were discovered at Sharon Dueitt’s Robertsdale home.

The younger woman has said that care of the animals was entrusted to an employee as she dealt with illnesses suffered by both herself and her mother.