Hoarding - 36 cats, more animals seized
Vineland, NJ (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 17, 2008
County: Cumberland
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Brenda Sharon Rhodes
Investigators from the Cumberland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Vineland Animal Control and city code enforcement raided a property on Foster Avenue Friday, confiscating 36 cats and other animals.
Inspectors, including county SPCA Executive Director Bev Greco, stated the animals were living in an "extremely unsanitary condition," adding "many were suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, respiratory distress and a flea infestation."
The basement floor was said to be covered with dog feces and urine, as were the carpets in some rooms throughout.
The county SPCA is set to file multiple charges against one woman, a tenant at the house, who claimed responsibility for the nearly four dozen animals found on the property.
Brenda Rhodes, 57, will be charged with keeping animals in unsanitary conditions, failure to provide veterinary care and improper confinement, said Greco.
In addition, Rhodes may also face charges from Vineland Animal Control for failure to properly license the animals and failure to vaccinate against rabies.
It was unclear Friday evening whether city code enforcers will also file their own complaints.
"The smell was over-powering once you walked into the house," said Greco Friday, describing the raid. "The fleas were visibly jumping around on the carpet and on the SPCA and animal control investigators."
According to Greco, seven cats were found - alive but very sick - in one crate meant to hold one medium-sized dog. The crate itself had been kept in a bedroom closet. Many of the cats were feral, added Greco.
Other animals discovered in the home included five dogs, two macaws, a love bird and a rabbit.
Similar to the situation with the cats, some of the dogs had been kept in crates while others ran free.
The macaws were found missing a "major amount" of their body feathers and in "serious need" of nail and beak clipping, said Greco. Fish and Game representatives have been notified of the birds and are investigating possible permit violations.
According to Greco, the sickly condition of many of the animals, especially the cats, makes it unclear how many will be able to be put up for adoption.
"A good number of the cats are very, very sick and it's not known if we'll be able to adopt them out because of suspected illnesses," she said. "Plus, many were feral and would not be eligable for adoption anyway."
The county SPCA responded to anonymous reports of multiple cats in unsanitary conditions at the home, at 741 Foster Ave., Thursday. However, no one was at the residence at that time to let investigators enter. A written notice was left informing the residents to contact the SPCA within 24 hours. There was no response.
When investigators came to the house Friday at 1:30 p.m., both the home owner, Elizabeth Lombardo, and Rhodes were present.
Lombardo will not face charges, according to Greco.
"She didn't really seem to know what was going on," said Greco of the landlord. "It was Rhodes who claimed responsibility for all the animals though.
"I'd say she (Rhodes) was grudgingly cooperative with the investigation."
The investigation is ongoing, as inspectors believe other animals may have been moved from the property prior to their arrival.
"Since I think they saw the notice that was left, there was some evidence they also tried to clean the house before we got there," said Greco. "When inspectors knelt down to pick up dogs there was yellow all over their knees, which might have been a combination of urine and their efforts to clean the carpet."
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the county SPCA at (856) 691-1500. References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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