County Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who asked the commission to intervene in the issue, stood by the rescue group.

“There are complaints about our animal services, which are legitimate complaints,” Bonilla said.

Ending the group’s contract “really was a personal issue, a personal vendetta,” she said. “This is unfair.”

Rescue Me Orlando, through its 30,000 Facebook followers, often publicizes hard-to-place animals, including those that are sick, old or deemed aggressive, and tries to find suitable foster families.