LEE COUNTY, Fla-- The only picture Hope Niles has of her kitten "Flower" is an x-ray from the vet.

"She was just infected with bacteria," said Niles, describing the kitten when she took her to the vet, "And fluid and all kinds of things that were draining her. So she wouldn't survive even on antibiotics."

Hope's mom adopted the kitten for her as a gift from a woman saying she was with Pine Island Animal Rescue.

"(They were outside)Big lots. They had a little stand set up for rescue animals and she donated food and all sorts of stuff and paid I think 10 or 15 bucks for the cat. Supposed to be all shots health and she was just not healthy," said Niles.

Niles had to put Flower down.

Niles called the director of the rescue: Kathy Markham.

"She didn't care what I had to say," said Niles

Adam Leath, the chief investigator with Lee County Animal Services told CALL FOR ACTION, "This is someone we have had the pleasure of dealing with unfortunately dozens of times."

His office has conducted 23 investigations into the Pine Island Animal Rescue.

"Unfortunately these particular individuals haven't heeded our warnings. Haven't continued to comply without our requests," said Leath.

Leath sent us the stack of complaints he has on the rescue.

They date back to 2004-- where a caller complained, "People are running a refuge in a small two bedroom house."

On another visit in 2007, investigators reported finding 30 animals living in "very poor conditions."

They also described the smell of urine in the house "unbearable."

They also found a dog with a large tumor and skin problems that were untreated.

On eight other occasions, animal control took animals away from the rescue.

Most recently, they were cited for failing to vaccinate and license animals and even hiding animals from animal control.

"Unfortunately in many cases just like this, the animals end up suffering in the end," said Leath.

We tracked down the Rescue's director: Kathy Markham.

There was no facility to house rescued animals--just an apartment where Kathy lives with a roommate.

We asked about Niles' kitten. At first, Markham denied having cats. Then Markham said she didn't give Niles' mom the kitten.

Finally Markham told us, "I told her I was the owner I would make sure the cat was fine."

We asked her how much money she raised last year. She told us, "not that much. We really weren't out that much. Maybe 500 dollars last year."

Financial statements the rescue filed with the State of Florida tell a different story. In those, the rescue claimed it hasn't received any donations in the last two years.

"We checked with the State of Florida they said you reported you made no money last year. That you had no donations," asked CALL FOR ACTION reporter Melissa Yeager.

"It was the year before then. It wasn't this year because yeah... we didn't make anything this year cause we took a break this year," said Markham, "I've never had a problem with animal control until I met Marcia."

Marcia Diamond helped run the Pine Island Animal Rescue. She told CALL FOR ACTION, "I was just there to medicate and take care of the animals."

Diamond's been cited for animal cruelty twice and for not licensing or vaccinating her animals dozens of times.

Animal services says as long as people keep giving them money, it's hard to stop them.

A family member of Kathy's called us and told us they will make sure Kathy does not continue to run a rescue.

So what do you do if you want to help a rescue?

Make sure they have non-profit status, find out how they're spending their money, and give Lee County Animal Services a call to make sure they rescue is legitimate.

Pine Island isn't the only rescue with repeated problems in Lee County. Click on the link in the Related Content box at the top of your screen to check out others.