PALM COAST, Fla. – It's been tough for a Palm Coast couple after learning they'll either have to close up their non profit animal rescue shelter or get rid of their animals.
"They come first in our lives," JoAnn Smerdon said.
Smerdon has even quit her job to care for the animals full time at her home turned shelter, called Kritters Incorporated.
"We had bunnies, guinea pigs, ferrets, canaries, cockatiels," Smerdon said.
But her biggest love is the rabbits.
"Bunnies are so loving, caring, quiet. They are leash-trained like a dog, litter-trained like a cat, so what's the problem?"
The problem is that rabbits are considered a farm animal in Palm Coast and city ordinance said they're not allowed in residential areas. The city had no idea about the rabbits until someone complained to animal control.
"Animal control were very nice, very understanding. They told us we'd have to get rid of all the rescue animals or relocate," she said.
Smerdon said so far, rescue shelters throughout Florida took in 11 guinea pigs, 15 cats, four rats and 22 of their 60 rabbits.
"It's hard. Some of them are my favorites and I have to let them go," Smerdon said.
Now, it's her mission to change the ordinance and continue Kritters Incorporated, even if that means moving.
"I would like maybe somebody out there with some land to donate and help us relocate. We would be willing to start over, somewhere else. We really would, if we can do this and I can keep my bunnies," she said.
The city said the ordinances are in place for public safety and property value. They are working with the Smerdon's and hope to re-home the animals within the next month.
The Flagler County Humane Society and Community Cats Palm Coast have also pitched in to help the Smerdon's relocate animals and donate food.