LEE COUNTY, Fla. - Lee County Animal Services will petition for custody of 86 animals seized from a Buckingham area property last month.

A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday morning.

The dogs, cats, rabbits and chickens were part of what Lee County Sheriff's detectives say was an animal rescue scam.

Carrie Cagata, the owner of "My Best Friends, Inc.", allegedly traveled to shelters throughout the state to pick up animals, promising to find them good homes.

Detectives say she would instead sell them at a profit.

As for the ones she couldn't sell, detectives tell us she left them in the care of Shannon Kraham and James Cullen at the Jackson Road property, which was referred to as a "farm".

It turned out to be no farm at all, detectives describing the scene as disgusting, horrific and sad.

Most of the animals were found to be starving and in perhaps the most gruesome detail of the case, two animals were found dead in a freezer.

While most of the other animals are now in foster homes, the 53 dogs remain in the care of Lee County Animal Services.

Kennel Operations Manager Adam Leath tells WINK News their health is improving.

He estimates the dogs have gained more than 125 pounds collectively.

"We're not talking about extraordinary care, we're talking about simple aspects of life adequate food and water," said Leath.

But, Leath says restoring the animals to good health is costing you.

"It has been very expensive," explained Leath, "Tax payer dollars are now up and over $40,000."

Non-profit funds may help and LCAS hopes to be reimbursed by the three suspects arrested in this neglect case.

Carrie Cagata, Shannon Kraham and James Cullen are each facing more than 100 counts of animal abandonment and animal cruelty. All three are due in court for an arraignment on November 3.

Right now though, the focus for Animal Services is the animals.

Volunteer dog trainer, Lyn Morningstar, has been working with the dogs on a daily basis to asses their personalities and skills.

One dog was shaking as she shyly approached Morningstar, "See how she's being very submissive to me."

After a few minutes outside with her, the dog was visibly more comfortable with her. The shaking stopped.

"Some of them come in that have skills and some of them come in that are very scared, you give them just a little bit of attention and they just blossom and really come out of their shells," explained Morningstar.

Animal Services says many of the dogs will make good pets.

"Depending on the outcome of the hearing, there are numerous we would be able to put into adoption the very next day," said Leath.