Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab owner outraged by city ordinance public notice in Tifton

TIFTON, Ga. – A Tifton wildlife rescue is fighting to protect the wild animals they’re rehabbing.

CBS 44’s Brian Roche has more.

A Tifton woman is taking action to protect her wildlife rescue that she’s been running for over 20 years after the city told her to.

Jessica Pisciotta has been running Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, Inc. out of her home for over 20 years, and hasn’t had a problem, with her saying code enforcement had even visited her a few weeks earlier.

That all changed when she received a notice last week.

“We’ve had a few new people that have moved into the neighborhood, and it is believed that they’ve made a few complaints about it being here in the residential zone,” said Jessica Pisciotta, owner, Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, Inc.

According to the notice, Jessica has 30 days to shut down the rescue and relocate the animals…

And, for Jessica, it’s a nightmare situation.

“It read that I needed to bring the property in compliance and stated that the anticipation that it was anticipated that this could be accomplished within 30 days. There is absolutely no way that an operation that’s been running for 20 plus years could completely have everything wiped out within 30 days. It’s not manageable,” said Pisciotta.

Jessica is one of only four people in the State of Georgia who is state and federally rabies vector licensed.

So, she’s trying to find solutions for the animals in the event things can’t be resolved in 30 days.

“Relocating the current wildlife is going to take time. Several of our citizens are offering land and taking on the task of trying to help me fundraise for enclosures on the property. I cannot financially afford to leave the home that I grew up in,” said Pisciotta.

In the meantime, she’s trying to remain optimistic that things will work out for Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, Inc..

“I just hope that we can come to some type of an agreement and that Steadfast is still able to operate. Maybe not on a large scale here in my childhood home, but I do hope that we’re able to mediate and do the neonatal clinic and the triage center here,” said Pisciotta.

We’ll hear from Tifton City Attorney, Robert Wilmot on the notice regarding Steadfast Wildlife Rescue Rehab, Inc. later on this week.

Brian Roche reporting.

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