This is a follow-up article to the one written by Elisa about the cat breeder/cat show judge who allegedly hoarded cats. You can click on the link below to read the story.
Anonymous tipster posts pictures online and accuses cat breeder and cat show judge of animal cruelty
This follow-up post adds some context to the story and explains what went on from a different angle. It is also in defence to a certain extent of the behavior of the person in question. The source of the information that I write here is very reliable and I have to trust it. It paints an entirely different picture.
There’s a lot more to the story than is portrayed in the videos. The videos were made by friends of the breeder (Oriental breeder in the USA) who were paid to help de-clutter the house. The cat breeder paid them $600. They did a couple of small tasks and then took photos and videos without the breeder’s permission or knowledge. They went viral on Facebook. There were allegations of squalor et cetera. The first point to make, therefore, is that the breeder was ripped off financially and then back stabbed by these so called friends who took the money. It is argued that they need shaming and that the breeder needs some sympathy.
Also, the clutter in the house had accumulated when two relatives died and their possessions had to be moved out of their homes. These items were being sorted through to decide whether it was rubbish or should be kept or donated. The breeder reached out to her friends, as mentioned, for help.
Apparently, some of these items ended up in her cattery. Further, this is a ‘caged cattery’ meaning the breeding cats are kept in cages which itself has attracted criticism. I would agree by the way that the breeder should be criticised for this but it is a different matter to the one being discussed. Although, personally, I am against all cat breeding. It seems that the possessions got in the way of cleaning the cages that day.
My source rightly says that if a person such as this breeder is unfairly or over criticised and undermined by backstabbing through viral videos it is counter-productive in preventing others when asking for help if they become overwhelmed through family circumstances or because of mental and physical illness.
My source feels strongly that this is not a simple “dirty hoarded” story and should not be presented as such. The key point is that the woman asked for help. The people she paid for help abused her trust. They took her money and ran. She has been involved voluntarily with animal services. And I’m also told that she was not tipped off about a visit.
My source I think correctly tells me that when other breeders get overwhelmed, this sort of publicity will deter them from asking for help.
I hope this post helps to put the matter into context and from a different perspective. I welcome comments which may further add to the story.
The ladies involved are in breach of contract even if it is verbal but no one wants to sue anyone. It is too troublesome.
It’s the same in cat rescue. I barely comment these days because it only starts a fight. I never realized the breeder world is as insane as the rescue world. Where is the Bad Cat Breeders page getting their info or are they making it up as they go along?
Most places have laws about taking photos on someone’s private property without the property-owner’s permission. Most also have laws about about verbal contracts – not doing what you agreed to do, but taking the money. There is a support group run very quietly by one registry that arranges practical help, but the politics between breeders accusing one another undermined that as well.
And contrary to claims on the bad breeders page, a number of cats have been placed in new homes and she did not “cancel the cleanup”. I would dearly love some dirt dug up on the so-called “friends” as methinks they have some hidden agenda.
Lisa’s reply below is worth reading regarding the personal vendetta. The bad breeders page is full of vendettas (I’ve seen several allegations in the last few years that malicious) and this is just the most public of them. I’ve seen exhibitor/breeder X exhibit a cat that comes 2nd or 3rd in competition to breeder Y, and then breeder X posts all manner of allegations about exhibitor/breeder Y to try to stop people dealing with the winning breeder.
Thanks Lisa for sharing your thoughts. It is appreciated.