Case Snapshot

Case ID: 10423

Classification: Hoarding, Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: cat

View more cases in AL (US)

Login to Watch this Case

Images for this Case

all 5 media files »

200 cats rescued from cat mill
Birmingham, AL (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 20, 2006
County: Jefferson

Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 5 files available

Abuser names unreleased

The Emergency Animal Rescue Service spent last week caring for 200 purebred Persian and Himalayan cats taken from a Blount County breeder.

The cats had been crowded into small cages and were suffering from intestinal parasites. Some of the cats' hair was so matted they were unable to stand or walk because of the weight. Others had runny eyes and noses.

The Pleasant Grove rescue service known as TEARS posted details of the cats' conditions on a Web page and sent e-mails to other rescue services and veterinarians seeking help in caring for the cats.

Terra Cotromano, director of the group, said that all but about 85 of the cats had been taken as of noon Saturday. A national Persian cat rescue group has promised to take about 40.

She said all the cats need grooming, deworming, vaccinations and tests for feline leukemia and feline AIDS. She said they appear to be 4 to 6 months old and have suffered from physical and emotional abuse.

A few have been adopted by individuals, but the cats have not been socialized.

"These cats have had no reason to trust people," Cotromano said. "You have to understand that they will not cuddle up in your lap, not immediately."

The cats were found when the owner of an Etowah County pet shop responded to an ad for cats. The pet shop owner had expected to pay $1,500 for 10 or 12 cats, but was disturbed by conditions when she arrived at the breeder's. When she began to leave, the breeder said she could have all the cats for free if she would take them.

Cotromano said that, after the pet shop owner had made several trips to gather up the cats, she contacted TEARS.

A Blount County animal control officer visited the breeder in mid-December and noticed numerous dogs on the property. No charges have been filed.

Donations to help finance care for the cats can be sent to: TEARS, 226 Glasgow Road, Birmingham, AL 35224, with the notation that the money is for the Persian/Himalayan rescue.

References

	Birmingham News - Dec 24, 2006
	TEARS
	MyFoxBirmingham - Dec 26, 2006

« AL State Animal Cruelty Map

Not sure what these icons mean? Click here.

Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

For more information regarding classifications and usage of this database, please visit the database notes and disclaimer.