Hoarding 23 cats
Glendora, NJ (US)Incident Date: Monday, Jul 17, 2006
County: Camden
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Ann Shepherd
A woman who kept nearly two dozen cats living in squalor inside her home has been charged with 46 counts of animal cruelty, authorities said.
Ann Shepherd of the 600 block of East Front Street in Glendora was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
Investigators found up to 4 inches of fecal matter in one room and 1,000 empty cans of cat food in another, said Capt. Sy Goldberg of the state Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"Conditions inside were absolutely horrific," Goldberg said.
Police called the SPCA on the night of July 17 after getting a report from a woman who said a cat had bitten one of her dogs.
SPCA investigators responded to the home around 10 p.m., and the odor from the street was overwhelming, Goldberg said.
Investigators encountered Shepherd sitting on her front porch.
Shepherd told them she had 23 cats in the house and knew she needed to reduce the number of animals she kept.
Once inside the house -- which has since been deemed unsuitable for habitation -- investigators found debris strewn everywhere. They also discovered a "litter room," portions of which were covered with urine and 4 inches of fecal matter, Goldberg said.
Ammonia levels were so high, Goldberg said, he could stay in the house for only five to seven minutes before he needed fresh air.
Gloucester Township police and fire departments and a hazmat team responded.
Authorities seized 13 of the animals and took them to the Camden County Animal Shelter. Their conditions were not immediately available, although some were exhibiting signs of respiratory problems.
Investigators remained at the home until about 3:30 a.m. July 18, Goldberg said.
This is the third animal hoarding case in the tri-county area in recent weeks.
On June 19, the SPCA removed 97 cats from a West Deptford home. They charged the residents, James and Rita Penney, with 94 counts of animal cruelty.
Authorities removed 67 cats from a Clayton home in early July. The homeowner, Doris Gay, faces 134 counts of animal cruelty.
"The sad part is, people who are hurting these animals believe in their hearts that they are helping them," Goldberg said.
The state SPCA is seeing an increase in calls from residents reporting animal hoarding, said spokesman Matt Stanton.
In hotter weather, the odors from these homes become more noticeable, he said. Also, publicity surrounding the other cases has helped the public become aware that "you can't have 10, 15 or 20 animals in one house," Stanton added. References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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