Unfounded Negligence Complaints Plague Cat Rescues

2015 has been a difficult year for cat rescues, where many are doing their best to save the abused, unwanted cats soon to be killed in shelters. The difficulty is taking the form of unfounded negligence complaints.

Animal advocates and those in rescue have created unnecessary havoc by calling in animal control on cases where Animal Control isn’t needed. It’s one thing to turn in a private individual or even a 501c3 non-profit rescue for hoarding and abuse. It’s quite another to turn one in out of spite, but that’s happening.

Below are two cases which happened this summer. One took place in Florida, the other in North Carolina. This article doesn’t necessarily mean I agree with each and everything these rescues do; only that they’re being made a victim, which is costing them supporters and money.

A tarnished reputation, although cleared through Animal Control, has scared a few rescues out of business this year who didn’t deserve that fate. I hope those who like to spread false information are very happy with the cats who have been put to death because of their lies. Karma will get them in the end. Rescues are preparing themselves to fight back with slander and libel suits against those who furnish police and Animal Control with false information.

Here are two rescues I’ve been following the past few months. Both were paid a visit by Animal Control (or the police) in their respective communities back in August.

Puffy Paws Kitty Haven

Also known on Facebook as The World’s Greatest Cathouse, Puffy Paws is owned and operated by Rick and Chrissy Kingston and based in Englewood, Florida. This rescue is constantly raising funds to care for the 200 special needs cats in their care. They take in the FIV/FeLV+ cats, the seniors no one wanted, and any cat they believe needs help.

puffy paws cat rescue
Extract from the report giving a clean bill of health for this cat rescue.
Two useful tags. Click either to see the articles: Toxic to cats | Dangers to cats

You can look at the Victorian setting where the cats lounge about and tell this is one great rescue. My biggest question was how do they keep the cats from breaking the Victorian lamps. Their Facebook page is here. The statement the Kingston’s made after the August 11 visit from Sarasota Animal Control and the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office can be found here.

Rather than go into a long explanation as to what took place, please read the statement from the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office giving Puffy Paws Kitty Haven a clean bill of health (see below).

Puffy Paws Sheriff's Office report
Puffy Paws Sheriff’s Office report

This fiasco was started by someone who only wanted to cause trouble. It backfired, and has earned the rescue more respect as a result. And Rick says he’ll be collecting info should this happen again and sue for libel. As he should do!

Funny Farm Kitties, Inc.

This is a fairly new rescue based out of Concord, North Carolina. Funny Farm Kitties Sanctuary started long ago when Regina Cooper Rowland was a child. She would save kitties and find safe homes for them.

Reporting a clean bill of health  at cat rescue
Reporting a clean bill of health

Fast forward a few decades and we find Regina, now 33, having reached her goal of being a real rescue. She filed her 501(c)(3) status for Funny Farm Kitties Sanctuary a few weeks ago. With that being said, she and her many volunteers have helped, saved, housed, and loved over 115 cats in a two year period.

Unfortunately, she has already made enemies, one of whom contacted Animal Control on her because they were concerned about the health and the number of cats in her care. Animal Control came in to find 70 cats, all in excellent condition and health (see report above).

Her home was cleared as being clean, no bad odors or any other problems. She has several volunteers who help her with her new rescue. Despite being cleared by Animal Control, Regina has lost a lot of support in her community and is fighting to get it back.

cat rescue

You can find Funny Farm, Inc. here on Facebook.

I’m really curious about this topic. Do any of the readers at PoC who operate private or 501c3 rescues been turned in to Animal Control out of spite? Or do you think people are contacting Animal Control out of general concern. Please leave a comment below.


Please comment on Facebook as well as it helps spread the word – thanks.


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39 thoughts on “Unfounded Negligence Complaints Plague Cat Rescues”

  1. Chrissy has always replies to any of my emails, when i have asked for her suggestion ,or told her about a cat in need, and never has she ever said no she wouldnt take a cat if we couldnt find someplace else for him or her.. Chrissy and Rick are amazing what they do. I care for 10 feral’s and my inside cats, and that is alot, what they do is 100 fold and should never had to go thru this, but at least it proves what a great job they do..

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