Trump administration deportations are leaving more family pets abandoned across Coral Springs and beyond
Coral Springs, Florida – As the Trump Administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration, the consequences are extending beyond people and into the lives of family pets, leaving shelters across the country scrambling to respond. In Coral Springs, the impact has become increasingly visible as more animals are being left behind by families forced to leave the country.
Jill Badlotto, a local resident, has found herself stepping in to help, opening her home to two senior dogs left behind by a neighbor facing deportation. “Our neighbor, sadly, is being deported, and they are unable to take their dogs with them, so now the dogs need a new home,” she said. The 13-year-old Shih Tzu Maltese mix duo, Coco and Blue, now face uncertainty despite their family’s desire to keep them together.
“Taking dogs to another country is a very hard process,” Badlotto explained. “Probably going to be easy for people to say, ‘Oh just take the dogs with you,’ but, unfortunately, that’s not the reality for a lot of these families.” For many, the logistical and financial challenges of transporting pets internationally are simply insurmountable, leaving pets in the hands of friends, neighbors, or local animal shelters.
Animal rescues and shelters are now reporting a noticeable uptick in cases like Coco and Blue. The Humane Society of Broward County told Local 10 News that they’ve seen several pets dropped off in recent months by owners being deported. While these numbers are only the cases that come through official channels, advocates say the real figure is likely higher, as many local authorities, such as Miami-Dade County Animal Services, have only recently begun tracking these situations.
The emotional toll on families and neighbors is palpable. For Badlotto, the process of taking in Coco and Blue, while temporary, has been a way to support her community. “I think we can all agree across the political board that dogs deserve good homes,” she said. She has already been caring for her own two dogs, and now she is trying to find a permanent home for her neighbor’s pets before the family departs.
“It’s so insane to see this happening to such a good family and this is only one story of many and many to come, which is really, really heartbreaking,” Badlotto said. Her experience illustrates a broader national concern about the unintended consequences of deportation policies, as innocent pets are left behind with no one to care for them.
Animal advocates like Jacey Birch, Local 10’s Animal Advocate, are now investigating the issue further, looking into how the growing wave of abandoned pets affects local shelters, resources, and community awareness. Birch plans to air a full investigation on Monday, highlighting both the rising numbers of abandoned pets and the challenges of finding them loving, permanent homes.
In the meantime, pets like Coco and Blue rely on the goodwill of neighbors, friends, and animal welfare organizations. For anyone interested in helping, Badlotto has made contact available through her Instagram page, hoping to find the Shih Tzu Maltese mix siblings a safe and permanent home.
As immigration enforcement continues and deportations rise, the story of abandoned pets is emerging as a deeply human issue, reflecting the heartbreak and disruption faced by families forced to leave their homes while also revealing the compassion and resilience of neighbors and advocates striving to protect the animals left behind.
