Another miracle has occurred in Belton, South Carolina, home of accused cat torturer and deceiver Julianne Westberry. Against all odds, another cat entrusted to Julianne has been found alive. Her name is “Kentucky”.
Kentucky and her kittens (“Derbys”) were taken to Julianne back in June, when the new mother, a ginger tabby, had mastitis. No one knows how Kentucky escaped the Belton home, or where her kittens are at this time. Kentucky’s survival brings new hope that other cats taken to Julianne may turn up.
On Thursday, Anderson County Animal Control delivered Kentucky to Anderson County P.A.W.S., which is the same shelter that cared for the survivors of Julianne’s house of cat hell. Luckily, Kentucky was microchipped, and a call to Greenville County Animal Care Services confirmed her identity. Randi Knox, rescue coordinator for P.A.W.S., tells of the moment she heard Kentucky had been found saying
“…very exciting day! I could barely explain who she was to Jessica when I heard Kentucky’s name come from her mouth while on the phone with GCACS. I just remembered the catchy name and the light bulb went off. Finger still crossed more are brought in and we can get them out as well!”
Randi credits Kentucky’s microchip to identifying her so quickly. Things moved quickly once it was a sure thing on just how special this one cat is. Randi was able to get in touch with Ash Truesdale, and word quickly got out on social media to rescue Kentucky before the end of the day. Anne Hesse is caring for Kentucky until a foster can be found. Foster Paws, a reputable upstate South Carolina cat rescue, will be in charge of finding this miracle cat a loving forever home.
Kentucky has a recent injury to a rear leg, as well as matted fur. She’s in fairly good shape, considering she’s been on her own for more than four months. Anne said her abdomen was hard Thursday night, and gave her some pureed pumpkin. Anne said after the constipation eased up, Kentucky passed some really yucky (for lack of a better word) poop.
Since Kentucky has been calm since being brought to a new environment, Anne allowed her some time outside of the crate for exercise. Kentucky is using the litter box (she prefers pine litter to clay litter) and is eating wet food. Anne is having to monitor how much food is given, so she doesn’t stress Kentucky’s delicate digestive system.
A vet visit is being planned for next week, just to be sure there are no problems. If an emergency comes up Kentucky will be seen over the weekend. Right now everyone is wanting to give this sweet survivor time to adjust to being cared for.
Kentucky isn’t the only survivor to turn up near the Belton home. Recently a cat named Bolan was found. And several weeks ago I was contacted about a cat who matched the description of Cottontina. I never heard back on that report, but there is hope some of the cats may still be found alive. This should be a positive experience for those who practice TNR. The fact that cats can survive better on their own than in the hands of an abuser like Julianne is pretty clear now. Had Kentucky remained inside the home, she’d most likely be dead.
Just for the record, pledges were added up for Kentucky, and showed she came with $410 for use in her care and finding a forever home. Just how many cats Julianne collected money on, then turned loose in the Belton community, isn’t known. We can all hope there are more as cats that she let loose to survive on their own may still be out there somewhere, alive. We can only hope.
As for the rescue community that has kept up with the Westberry cats since the beginning. This is a weekend of celebration. Thank you to everyone who helped get Kentucky out of the shelter, and who will see her placed in a loving forever home.
Please search using the search box at the top of the site. You are bound to find what you are looking for.
This is Princess Kitty – not sure if it fits description of Cottontina.
Hi, thanks for commenting. You comments have been published.
There is a gorgeous long haired white cat in N.J. – it may not be from JW, but it needs a loving home as the owner has to go for surgery.
https://www.facebook.com/PawsForPrincess/photos/pb.444488422268660.-2207520000.1422386029./867159210001577/?type=1&theater
This is fantastic news and it is great to hear some really good news coming out of this very upsetting story which nearly always contains bad news of course.
This is a long-running story but it is a major cat story I believe because it touches on so many aspects of cat ownership. It was good to see that some cats managed to survive the negligence or abuse dished out by this woman.
I had no luck finding the person who may have the white cat that resembled Cottontina. Sorry…
Thank you Cathy for your comment. Please come back whenever you can.
That’s OK Cathy. We can hope it was.
Thank you Elisa, you made me relaxed by sharing this good news. Yesterday I was really badly depressed and stressed because of one abuse vet story on my facebook. I can not stop me to read all this because I am fond of reading but as you know! I am really sensitive (beyond any normal cat lover) so it hurts me badly when abuse stories are online in maximum and those with real welfare in rare. 🙁
But again . . . thank you so much and God bless you, ameen.
There may be a lot of residents in the Belton area who have taken in what they thought are stray cats and are really cats who were turned loose or escaped. We’ll never know about most of them, so any that are found are little miracles.
I would like to know exactly what Julianne Westberry is doing at the moment! I guess we won’t find out but it would be nice to know what her thoughts are right now and what she is doing at the moment. She has become quite notoriously famous. My concern is that she is still involved with cats and I would bet my bottom dollar that nobody is watching her. There should be an injunction against her with respect to dealing in anyway with cats or indeed other animals.
If she’s with her mom then she’s around cats. I’m still upset as to why she only faces one count when at least 60 cats are dead because of her.
The law and law enforcement undervalues the lives of cats.
I know what I would like her to be doing! I can’t believe she got out again no posted bond!
A comment on her mother’s page indicates she is indeed there. The comment said “Julianne isn’t doing well”
can you tell us name of mother so we can keep out on FB?
that was meant to say, keep an eye out on FB
Ahsan I understand completely. You should really avoid reading about cat abuse except only if necessary and certainly don’t look at pictures. That is what I do.
Thank you Michael, my friend, Yes you are right, but I seek where the wrong was in the story and what kind of psychology the cruel person had, I am also a student and teacher of psychology (welfare) and para-psychology (as welfare) so I with the passage of age am becoming strange sensitive and maybe (perhaps) JOHN the prophet hearted person or maybe JESUS alike lover to everyone, don’t know but never wish to re-act as BAD man. But something goes wrong inside my spirit and I lock my self in my studies and cry. A man cry, adult man??? seems strange to myself, too. But I just put myself in the place of victim and that hurts a lot 🙁
Michael! please add me on facebook as I am regular user of facebook and I sent you a request so that I can share my cat and kittens videos to you directly.
Now a days I am very busy in making maps of cage for cats and different aspect of discussion with family (wife and Khadija). The wood work (carpentry) is not easy at all and it requires exact angles to be made for a professional artist like me, I have 5 years experience from my school in Danmark.
Here is the link of my latest video on facebook which I hope you will convert to a small page article. Hope I will be regular within few weeks with many pictures and all receipts of money spent in work. Let it be in surprise until you all see it and please me with your suggestion comments. Actually extreme weather conditions are also concerned into my minds both for summer hottest seasons and winter the bone breaking seasons as I live in high mountain area. I was just dreaming to meet you one day, Michael. just love you as friend, as a cat lover and love to read your articles, thank you again <3
sorry forgot to put the link
Here it is
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=965922960089731&set=vb.100000161098631&type=2&theater¬if_t=like
Ashan you would hate to live in the world of my writing. But you’d enjoy the world of my photos.
I sent you a friend request. I want to show you our feral rescued kitten.