Hoarding 51 cats and kittens
Eugene, OR (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Sep 20, 2006
County: Lane
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Jo Ann Zeh
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
The future remains uncertain for dozens of cats rescued from a local home. Animal control officers and vets started on Sept 21 to assess the health of 51 cats and kittens. At the same time, they expect to take in as many as 50 additional felines because many cats escaped when they tried to rescue them on Sept 20.
It's taking a multi-agency effort to handle this animal neglect case. Veterinarians and other volunteers are bathing the cats and treating them for mites, fleas and other conditions.
The vet who checked the animals says most of the cats rescued from the Santa Clara home should make good pets once they're healthy. Dr. Trudy Salerno says, "She fed them all well, that wasn't a problem. They're socialized, they're nice cats, but they have some minor problems that we think we can fix." She says all of the 51 cats are being treated for fleas, worms and ear mites, and about 75% of them are going to be treated for an upper respiratory infection. The cats are also being tested for serious conditions like leukemia.
The Lane County Animal Regulation Authority rescued the 51 felines from Jo Ann Zeh's Santa Clara home. Officers also found four cats dead inside the home that was covered with feces and filth. Mike Wellington with LCARA said, "They were coming out from the chimney, attic, under the home, spreading out from the house. I think a lot will start to return to the area because that's where they have been feeding. Hopefully, we'll get them by trapping."
Zeh now faces one charge of animal neglect. Authorities say this case is a classic case of cat collecting. They believe she thought she was helping all of the strays by providing them a home.
Officers are setting traps all over her neighborhood in hopes of capturing the rest of the cats. They're asking neighbors with cats to put collars on them so they can release them if they get trapped.
Because of this rescue operation, LCARA is unable to take anymore felines at its cattery right now. But the agency still needs donations to help get the healthy cats ready for adoption. Salnero says they should be ready for adoption in a couple weeks.
Case UpdatesA 62-year-old Santa Clara woman barred from keeping pets has been charged with violating probation after authorities seized 22 neglected cats from her Eugene home on Nov 7, 2007.
Jo Ann Zeh was arraigned Thursday in Lane County Circuit Court. She was prohibited from owning animals as a condition of probation for an earlier animal neglect conviction after authorities seized more than 50 cats from her property on Admiral Street in September 2006.
Since her conviction in June, Lane County Animal Services employees had visited her house several times to investigate complaints of animal neglect, animal services manager Mike Wellington said. The cats should be available for adoption next week. For more information on this latest case, click here. | Source: Register-Guard - Nov 14, 2007
Update posted on Nov 14, 2007 - 5:42PM |
Lane County Animal Regulation Authority is ready to adopt out 28 of the cats seized earlier this month from a Lane County home. More than 50 cats were removed from the property due to animal neglect.
"These cats have been treated and are now medically stable and ready for new homes," said Mike Wellington, LCARA manager.
The media is invited to the animal shelter for interviews and photos at 9:30 a.m., tomorrow, Sept 30, 3970 W. First in Eugene.
Lane County Sheriff's Office with the assistance of Lane County Animal Regulation Authority (LCARA), Lane County Zoning Enforcement, and Springfield Animal Control executed a search warrant at a home in Eugene on Sept. 20. A search warrant was obtained by the Sheriff's Office after receiving information from LCARA involving animal neglect at the residence.
The scope of the search was to access the property and ensure the welfare of the animals on the property. LCARA has been to this residence numerous times in the past year investigating complaints of neglected animals.
As a result of the search, more than 50 cats were removed from the property as evidence of animal neglect was present. They were seen by a veterinarian from the City of Eugene's Spay and Neuter clinic. The cats were evaluated for medical treatment as they were removed from the premises.
The first group of cats is ready to go to a caring home after the nine days of treatment. The adoption costs for male cats is $80 and $95 for females. Adoption fees include spay/ neuter, 1-year cat identification and registration, Micro chip, a breakaway collar and cat transport carrier.
"The remaining cats are still under treatment but we feel they will make a full recovery and will be available for adoption soon," said Wellington.
Four of the removed cats were deceased. The owner of the residence was charged with Animal Neglect 1. | Source: Lane County Government - Press Release - Sept 29, 2006
Update posted on Nov 14, 2007 - 5:44PM |
References« OR State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Lane County, OR
|
