Hoarding 60 cats in boxes - Sandy Springs, GA

Monday, May 21, 2007

County: Fulton

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Angela Kendricks
» Claudia Kendricks

A Sandy Springs woman and her mother have been charged with animal cruelty after authorities found them hoarding 60 cats in two coffin-sized boxes behind their apartment.

The women told investigators they kept the animals in the wooden boxes because they were not allowed to have them at their Summit Place Drive residence.

The litter of weaned kittens found among the group of cats.

The cats were found in woods behind the apartments in wooden boxes with lattices that allowed them to breathe, said Susan Feingold, director of the Fulton County animal shelter.

"When we found them they had no food and water, but they were actually in pretty good condition," Feingold said.

Feingold did not know what prompted the women to keep so many cats, but it may have been a case of 'hoarding.'

"People start with a few and allow them to multiply and it gets out of control," Feingold said. "They go from a few cats to 60, and they won't give them up. They feel this compulsion to hold on to them."

Investigators were called out to the apartments Saturday after someone found the boxes with the cats inside. In the mix was a mother with seven newborn kittens, about four to five days old; 10 kittens that were about a month-old and some older cats. Authorities also found a dead cat in the group.

The owners, Angela Kendricks, 21, and her mother, 43-year-old Claudia Kendricks, face misdemeanor cruelty to animal charges.

The Fulton County animal shelter is offering the cats, which are in good shape, for adoption. The $65 adoption fee includes spaying and neutering, vaccination, a cardboard cat carried and a bag of cat food.

Those interested can visit www.fultonanimalservices.com or go to the shelter at 860 Marietta Boulevard in Atlanta.

References

• Atlanta Journal Consitution - May 22, 2007

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