This isn’t the typical article since the news is still breaking and “alleged” about a cat breeder and cat show judge who recently turned herself in as a cat hoarder to Thurston Animal Services in Olympia, Washington on August 18.
I won’t name names in this article since no arrests have been made and no news media links are out there to back up the information. The reason I’m writing this article is to engage a discussion on what happens when a cat hoarder decides she has too many cats. While many support her, others are bashing her and saying this is animal cruelty that has gone on for years.
The woman is accused of “cats living in filth in tiny, filth-encrusted cages in dark rooms and hallways, has DEAD CATS living in her hoarder household, with feces everywhere and general “stuff” piled sky-high. She has cats living in the AIR VENTS in her home – and she doesn’t even have litter boxes for these poor creatures.” (Note: A very dirty litter box can be seen in the video below.)
She made the local news in a live stream video (video is slow to load so please be patient)
https://www.facebook.com/badcatbreeders/videos/vb.1387011538207368/1828397780735406/?type=2&theater
The woman is said to have been tipped off after she was anonymously reported to authorities and by the time Animal Control came out the place had been cleaned. No arrest was made and no cats were removed because the police in Yelm was unable to obtain a search warrant before the breeder was tipped off.
Facebook Bad Cat Breeders posted on August 19 (name removed but the information is on their page)
“********* showed up on her own at Thurston Animal Services on August 18, 2017. She admitted she is a hoarder and that her home is a mess. She stated that she will re-home 17 of her 33 cats. (Bad Cat Breeders Editor’s note) ********* does not have over 3 dozen cats as the news station initially reported; however, that is merely semantics. 33 BREEDING cats is too many to call yourself a hobby breeder).
She knows her situation is all over the Internet and she is feeling world-wide shame. (Bad Cat Breeders Editor’s Note: rightfully so)
********* agreed to work with Animal Services and her premises will be inspected in the near future and periodically thereafter.
There is still concern that she will allow her cats to breed. But investigators say it’s not so much a matter of neglect as much as ****** has too many animals and can’t adequately care for them.”
A Facebook post here has photos and videos posted for those who wish to see them. I’m unsure who took these or if they’re authentic but I am studying the comments going back and forth. You can learn a lot by following the comments.
Some people are condemning the cat breeder/hoarder and some are defending her. Others are upset with social media posting the situation, which allowed the breeder time to clean up her cattery. Were there dead cats? Since she was tipped off we may never know.
From what I’m hearing, the cat breeder has yet to give up any of her cats. Word has it the situation is under control and help has arrived to help both the breeder and the cats. The cats are the top priority for everyone at this point.
Would the cat breeder have turned herself into authorities if she hadn’t been tipped off by someone who told her to expect a visit from Animal Control? Was she afraid she’d be denigrated on social media and that’s why she didn’t come forward in the past? Or is it all about the money and it would have been business as usual?
Here is an updating post presenting a different point of view and with new information. Please read it and add comments:
The inside story on the cat breeder and cat show judge accused of hoarding cats
It’s scary to read about this and think of all the cat hoarders who won’t ask for help due to the threat of social media backlashing. It’s just as scary to think how many people are fooled when they buy from what they think is a wonderful cattery.
If you absolutely must buy from a cat breeder and the breeder is out of your state, NEVER agree to meet them halfway at a rest area or convenience store. Take the time to visit the cattery and be sure your new cat or kitten was raised in a healthy environment.
I do have a screenshot where a marketing committee member of the cat show stated the board, as well as the breed committee, are aware of the situation and that local people are also helping behind the scenes.
Please feel free to comment on any part of this article, especially any information I may have missed or is inaccurate. I apologize for the secrecy, but since the person wasn’t identified by name on the KIRO7 newscast, I refuse to offer it in this article.
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Elisa
There were no dead cats. The allegations of cats living in air vents are also highly suspicious – but hey, who cares if it makes a nice viral FB post. Let’s be very clear about one fact – she was not tipped off about an animal services visit. We have FB communication that pre-dates that visit and shows that she was already working on clearing things before the visit. Basically those fake friends accepted her money, filmed on her property without permission and did nothing constructive. Considering the malicious exaggerations they should return her money. They preyed on a person who was vulnerable and overwhelmed and instead of giving constructive help (as they were paid to do) they acted in a way that will deter people from seeking help in similar situations.
Can we do a follow up page?
I am sorry for this Sarah. We can do another page. You can write it if you wish.
No it’s not accurate. The person who has been publicising it accepted $600 from the breeder to help with clearing up, did naff all and then circulated a video along with exaggerated claims. The breeder herself asked for help. She didn’t turn herself in as the result of the viral images. There is a lot of malice involved here and I am sad it has been perpetuated on here as well.
I did email you earlier about this – it’s not the typical hoarder situation and a lot of what is being reported is simply untrue.
What is going wound is not the truth. She wasn’t tipped off by anyone. She is working hard on clearing up (the hoard is a result of a double bereavement and the possessions ending up with her). She herself is working with animal services and she has rehomed several cats voluntarily, but they are breed cats (genetically valuable to the breed) and she wants to see them go to appropriate homes.
As for the allegations of dead cats – that was sheer nastiness from a person wanting publicity on the back of someone else’s misfortune. I have a number of friends in common with this lady. She asked for help. The people whom she paid to help her took her money and did this instead – not providing any context and leaving people to assume it has always looked like that.
I’m sad Michael chose to post this without referring to an email I sent him earlier to give the context.