Hoarding - at least 40 cats Nashville, TN (US) Incident Date: Friday, Oct 22, 2004 County: Davidson Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Mary Virginia Meredith

Case ID: 2875 Classification: Hoarding Animal: cat View more cases in TN (US) Suspect was in animal welfare field Login to Watch this Case

Metro Department of Health officials have issued 50 citations against a Nashville woman reported for having at least 40 cats living in smelly, unsanitary conditions in her home.

Mary Virginia Meredith, of 410 Lancaster Avenue off West End, allowed health inspectors into the house yesterday morning to investigate the strong smell of pet urine. Authorities also visited Monday.

''You could smell it to the street, almost,'' said William Parker, assistant director of Environmental Health Services for the Metro Department of Health. ''We are working with them to see about getting them relocated'' while the home is cleaned.

Some furniture was saturated with cat urine and the floors were covered in cat feces, officials said. Meredith has made some progress cleaning up, they added.

The citations are for animal cruelty and for the cats' lack of state-required vaccinations. Those could be upgraded to state charges, which would include a mandatory mental evaluation, said Judy Ladebauche, director of Metro Animal Control.

Officials believe the retired schoolteacher was using the Internet to advertise as a foster-care provider for unwanted cats, under the name Huckleberry Foundation. They believe cats have been sent to her from around the country.

Meredith, reached by phone yesterday, said the cats remained at the home. She declined further comment.

She lives with her husband, Owen, whom authorities said is 79 or 80. Both may be facing health risks because of the living environment, Ladebauche said.

Authorities said they allowed the cats to remain for now because the pets appeared to be sociable and healthy.

''They seem to be in relatively good health. They are good-looking, healthy cats,'' Parker said.

It is the latest in a string of cases around the Midstate where residents have been investigated for having more pets than they could manage.

Some people, often the elderly, have been linked to animal ''hoarding'' or ''collecting.'' The behavior is linked with obsessive-compulsive disorder, where acquiring more animals eases stress. The pet lovers believe they are helping the animals and don't see or smell their worsening living conditions.

''As the population ages, the number of collectors is going to grow,'' said Laura Turner of Franklin, and animal welfare advocate who assists Metro Health with such cases.

Some experts believe more solitary lifestyles can contribute to the behavior.

Turner encourages anyone with a neighbor or relative with such pet problems, especially where cleanliness and health becomes an issue, to contact the Metro Department of Health for help.

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References

	The Tennessean - Oct 23, 2004
	WHNT

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