Editor’s Note: This story contains mentions of animal cruelty, neglect and death.
Alachua County Animal Resources volunteer Melissa Wokasch awaits the day her favorite shelter dogs will find forever homes. On Feb. 21, Wokasch saw one of her most beloved furry friends — Gala, a 6-year-old, 40-pound bulldog mix — for the last time. It wasn’t for the reason she hoped.
“I can’t think too hard about what happened to those dogs when I left the shelter, because it’s not good,” Wokasch said. “I believe those dogs are dead.”
When Alachua County Animal Resources opened its doors in 1987, the shelter often euthanized animals after only a few days. In the 2010s, it shifted toward a no-kill mission. But now, staff confessions and volunteer outcry are raising questions about the shelter’s commitment to no-kill…