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I would post the photos of some of the kitties rescued from this location, but I thought they were too graphic to post...really. If anyone has an extra dollar or two they could send, I'm sure it would be much appreciated.
IDAHO HUMANE SOCIETY CONDUCTS LARGEST CAT RESCUE IN STATE’S HISTORY
BOISE, Idaho, April 24, 2006 -- The Idaho Humane Society, in conjunction with The Humane Society of the United States, the Twin Falls Sheriff’s Dept. and the Idaho Dept. of Agriculture, rescued 323 extremely neglected cats kept in squalid and overcrowded conditions from a Twin Falls cat breeder during the past several days.
The seizure from Rocky Mountain Cat Resort is the largest-known cat rescue in Idaho’s history. The Twin Falls Sheriff’s Dept. was notified of the horrific conditions by a temporary worker who was hired by the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort’s owner, Janet Rasmussen. While at the facility the worker discovered what was known as the “dead room” -- a locked room off the main kennel area with a metal grate so the cats couldn’t enter or escape to the outside. When the temporary worker looked into the room, she allegedly saw many dead cats in various stages of decomposition, as well as some sick and dying cats, according to the Twin Falls Sheriff’s Dept.
“The living conditions were as bad as any I have ever seen,” said Idaho Humane Society Director Jeff Rosenthal, DVM, who has assisted with numerous animal rescues in Idaho. “There were even mummified cats present in the home, not to mention the filth of the facility with feces and urine all over the floors and walls.” The Idaho Humane Society deployed a six-member animal rescue team and equipment to conduct the rescue and provide medical evaluations.
Ms. Rasmussen has not been formally charged, but she has fully cooperated with the Twin Falls Sheriff’s Dept. and was undergoing psychiatric evaluation. Under the direction of the Idaho Dept. of Agriculture, 117 severely ill cats were euthanized, 35 were transferred to the Twin Falls animal shelter and 171 were brought to the Idaho Humane Society’s temporary emergency rescue facility.
“The cats are currently in quarantine where medical and social assessments are being performed. Many of the cats are nursing young litters of kittens and several are severely matted and in need of grooming. We believe that many of these cats will be adoptable, however, and we will notify the public when they become available,” said Dee Fugit, Idaho Humane Society spokesperson. “However, our shelter always has wonderful dogs and cats available for adoption each day, and we urge those who are seeking to obtain a new pet to adopt one from our shelter or another animal shelter in their area.”
The Rocky Mountain Cat Resort, which advertises nationally, has been in existence for almost 10 years. The facility is known for breeding purebred Ragdolls, Himalayans and Maine Coon breeds of cats. During the past several years the Twin Falls’ Sheriff’s Dept. has received numerous complaints from individuals who had purchased cats from Rasmussen. The cats were reported to be in poor health, requiring extensive veterinary care.
“The majority of Rasmussen’s cats were sold through the Internet and through cat-related magazines. Under current law, all commercial breeders of dogs and cats who sell their animals directly to the public avoid USDA licensing and humane handling requirements even when they are selling large numbers of animals. ,” said Inga Gibson, Pacific Northwest Program Manager, The Humane Society of the United States. “This case is a prime example of the need for regulation of such facilities. We are hopeful that pending federal legislation under the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) will pass, closing the loophole that currently exempts such breeders from federal regulation.”
The Humane Society of the United States and other area businesses have donated veterinary supplies, equipment and other forms of support for the rescue, but more financial support is needed. Donations can be made to the Idaho Humane Society Rescue Fund, 4775 Dorman St. Boise, Idaho, 83705 ATTN: Christine Moore, 387-2760, or online at www.idahohumanesociety.org All donations are tax-deductible.
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