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MEDIA RELEASE: 31 Scottish Fold Cats Seized, 8 - 12 Missing in Monterey County

MEDIA RELEASE: 31 Scottish Fold Cats Seized, 8 - 12 Missing in Monterey County

MONTEREY, Calif. (October 29, 2021)In Defense of Animals seeks justice for dozens of purebred cats and kittens who were victims of the animal breeding industry. The organization stepped up to defend the surviving cats upon receiving calls and emails from outraged supporters. According to confidential sources, Saturday, October 30 looms as the deadline for the cat breeder to retrieve the cats now held in custody. Time is of the essence to influence legal stipulations placed on the breeder.

See the video and pictures.

On September 29, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office responded and sent photographs from an alleged purebred kitten mill in South Monterey County where as many as 43 starving and deceased Scottish Fold cats were found.

Although the breeder had been recently hospitalized, the neighbors said they had complained in the past, and the breeder had been cited for failure to provide care. According to the seizure notice, 31 cats and two dogs were seized by the SPCA for Monterey County on September 30, but locals say there were 43 Scottish Fold cats just the day before.

At the site, a concerned resident and the Sheriff's deputy found three deceased kittens in litter boxes and 40 live cats, many starving and emaciated, living in cages filled with feces. Many cats appeared to be unsocialized and scared. There were at least two litters of kittens and some senior cats living in cages with matted fur and infected eyes. A mother was separated from her tiny kittens, and she rushed to be with her kittens as soon as she was liberated.

In advocating for the surviving cats, In Defense of Animals aims to ensure:

  • No cats are returned to the breeder.
  • Charges are sufficient to give the SPCA for Monterey County and other authorities the right to certain stipulations, such as limiting the number of animals in the home and requiring them to all be fixed, no breeding for sale, and inspections.
  • Each and every seized cat gets the foster care and rehabilitation necessary to be adopted out to loving homes and to ascertain the condition and fate of the cats in custody, as the public has great interest.
  • Authorities find the alleged missing 8-12 Scottish Fold cats.

“After this tragic case of neglect and cruelty, we hope everyone starts rescuing and stops buying animals,” said Lisa Levinson, of In Defense of Animals. “Even when breeders are registered with professional associations, it provides no protection or proof of compassionate or cruelty-free lives for the animals who suffer in silence behind closed doors. Purchasing animals supports the proliferation of kitten and puppy mills, where the bred animals are forced to live lonely lives in cages and runs, often without proper care.”

 

Contacts:

Lisa Levinson, In Defense of Animals, Campaigns Director, lisa@idausa.org, 215-620-2130

Rhonda Somerton, Local Advocate, 831-394-2344

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 38-year history of protecting animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. https://www.idausa.org/campaign/community-cats

 

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