The Lefkowitz's family owns The Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary in High Springs.

Alachua County Commissioners told them they needed a special permit to operate and had to reduce the number of cats to 144.

A fellow animal lover donated five acres of property in Gilchrist County rent free to keep the cats on, but its not as easy as just picking up the cats and taking them there.

"There is a process they have to go through, they have to abide by our land development code, they would have to come in and get a special use permit and would have to go through a public hearing," says Ron McQueen, Gilchrist County Coordinator.

Results of that public hearing in Gilchrist County could be approval, approval with conditions, or denial.

By Nathalie Pozo, WCJB TV20 News