A North Carolina woman who was arrested last week after she sheltered 27 cats and dogs during the height of Hurricane Florence had her charges dropped Tuesday, a district attorney’s office announced.

Tammie Hedges faced charges of practicing veterinary medicine without a license and soliciting a donation of tramadol — a prescription painkiller sometimes used for dogs and cats — after officials found her with the animals on Sept. 17.

On Tuesday, Wayne County prosecutors said Hedges’ arrest stemmed from their concern for the well-being of the animals.

“The removal of animals from a building that failed to meet suitable standards for license as an animal shelter and away from the control of this defendant who has previously been censured for the unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine was a prudent decision made with the best interest of the animals in mind,” Wayne County District Attorney Matthew Delbridge said in a statement.

He added that dismissing the charges will eliminate further distraction. The North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board will determine the next actions on Hedges.

WOMAN WHO SHELTERED HURRICANE FLORENCE ANIMALS IS CHARGED WITH PRACTICING VETERINARY MEDICINE WITHOUT LICENSE

On Sept. 17, Hedges, the founder and director of Crazy’s Claws N’ Paws, turned over 27 dogs and cats to Wayne County animal services officers after they determined the non-profit group was operating an unlicensed shelter.

Hedges told the News-Argus of Goldsboro at the time she felt she had to help the animals that were brought to her during the storm. She added she gave amoxicillin to some sick animals, and also used a topical antibiotic ointment.

“The owners got to evacuate. They got to save themselves. But who’s going to save those animals? That’s what we did,” Hedges said. “We saved them.”

Hedges received support from the public and a GoFundMe page was created to help her pay legal fees. By Wednesday, the fundraising page raised more than double of its $20,000 goal.