PetSmart
Charities has dispatched three of its Emergency Relief Waggin’ vehicles,
each stocked with $80,000 worth of crucial supplies, to the scene of an alleged
animal hoarding situation in Florida. The ASPCA is the lead organization in this rescue.
Hundreds of cats are in need of emergency assistance and medical care after being discovered in an overcrowded and unsanitary cat sanctuary known as Caboodle Ranch.
Hundreds of cats are in need of emergency assistance and medical care after being discovered in an overcrowded and unsanitary cat sanctuary known as Caboodle Ranch.
At the request of the Madison County
Sheriff’s Office and Madison County Animal Control, the ASPCA is on the ground
in Florida managing the rescue of the cats. It is the largest number of cats the ASPCA has ever had to remove from one location in the course of an animal cruelty investigation.
“After receiving
numerous complaints regarding the care of animals at Caboodle Ranch, we’re glad
that the appropriate enforcement action is being taken,” says Sheriff Ben
Stewart with the Madison County Sherriff’s Office.
As a result of an investigation spanning more than a year, a search warrant was executed Monday morning for the removal of the animals. The ASPCA is collecting additional evidence on the property for the investigation. The founder of Caboodle Ranch has been arrested and multiple animal cruelty charges are pending.
Many of the cats are exhibiting signs of severe neglect and
appear to be suffering from upper respiratory conditions and eye infections,
among other medical issues. Responders are also uncovering numerous deceased
cats on the property.
“Our immediate goal
is to work quickly to remove these cats from the property and safely transport
them to a temporary shelter, where they will be triaged by a veterinary team,”
said Tim Rickey, Senior Director of the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and
Response Team.
The 53-foot PetSmart Charities’ Emergency Relief Waggin’
trailers and their 48-tons of cargo departed the PetSmart Distribution
Centers bound for the scene, where animal-rescue teams will operate an
emergency animal shelter. The vehicles are stocked with crucial supplies,
including pet food, wire crates, plastic carriers, litter, litter boxes, bowls,
fans, a generator, a battery charger and lights to aid the animal rescuers on
scene.
“PetSmart Charities also dispatched a team of specially
trained volunteers to the scene,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive
director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “The volunteers are able to unload
supplies and set up the temporary shelter very quickly, enabling on-the-ground
rescuers to immediately attend to the animal victims. We are happy to be able
to assist in this way to help give these cats a second chance at finding a
lifelong, loving home.”
Image via www.caboodleranch.com
That is so sad....we had heard about this place before and thought it sounded great but then started hearing rumors that things weren't good....we hope the animals can get some help.
ReplyDeleteStuff like this just makes me so sad and mad at the same time. Those poor animals. I hope the humans involved get the longest jail term possible. In reality tho, they'll get a slap on the wrist and be out in 90 days only to start all over again.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad about this! I was so happy to hear that all of these cats had a safe place, and it turns out not to be safe.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad too because I've been to CR twice for a week, in the last year, and it's a terrific place. And I make the trip from NJ. I wouldn't be doing that for a sub-standard facility. Cats are free to roam in a fenced area, and have plenty of food, water, shelter. A PeTA undercover agent was hired to clean and help care for the animals. The question is did she do those tasks or spend her time creating the negative video. Look at Madison Voice and read John Ovenden's editorial. He has videoed hours at CR and was not restricted to specific locations. He said anyone could make a bad video of good things with creative editing. I'm sick about this. CR was always making improvements and was applying for the new Excess Animal Habitat permit required by the county. The vet made frequent trips and Craig learned how to do many treatments himself. Don't automatically believe the news or the video. And when anyone of you spend all your money, all your time on animals, sleep in a sleeping bag surrounded by your cats, then maybe you can criticize CR.
ReplyDeleteFor more evidence of animal cruelty and embezzlement dating back to early 2009 visit Caboodle Ranch Animal Cruelty Info website at www.caboodleranch.net
ReplyDeleteASPCA is asking for donations of supplies and medicine.
ReplyDeleteThey don't have enough money to buy the needed goods and the 40 locale volunteers there are begging for help.