Animals from scrutinized Beaufort pet store are on the road to new homes. What’s next?

The last of the animals confiscated from a Beaufort pet store county officials deemed inadequate and unsanitary are on their way to new homes.

More than 1,000 animals were removed from Roy’s Aquarium on Ribaut Road last month as Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Animal Services and animal rights groups investigated conditions at the store. The number of animals has grown exponentially as the some of the collection of rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs have reproduced, Animal Services director Tallulah Trice said.

The remaining the animals were shipped off Thursday to various shelters. Fifteen hamsters and guinea pigs will be spayed by Hilton Head Humane Society on Monday and available for adoption at Petco in Bluffton.

No one has been charged related to the investigation. Criminal charges and evidence are still being evaluated, Sheriff’s Office Capt. Bob Bromage said.

Animal agencies involved in the case are still documenting the animals’ condition, he said.

Store owner Roy Rivers said this week he is moving his business to another location nearby, at 1285 Ribaut. He declined to comment on the county’s investigation Wednesday and said he doesn’t have a timeline for opening the new store.

Pet supplies are stacked inside the future location and city building and safety permits are affixed to the door.

Rivers opened his shop 51 years ago at the location at 1221 Ribaut Road, which now has a “for sale” sign out front. County officers spent days last month removing rodents, reptiles, fish and birds from the building after a search warrant was served July 18 related to animal cruelty allegations.

An inspection revealed the store was unsanitary and didn’t have enough space for the hundreds of animals kept there, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The animals are headed for shelters and animal rescue organizations along the East Coast. Charleston Animal Society took in 80 of the animals for adoption, the Post and Courier reported.

Many of the rodents were sick and expected to become reptile food.

This story was originally published August 4, 2017 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Animals from scrutinized Beaufort pet store are on the road to new homes. What’s next?."