INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Members of the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County traveled to North Florida late last month to help take care of about 700 cats found mistreated at a cat shelter known as Caboodle Ranch and currently under the protection of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Nearly 700 cats were discovered in what is described by the ASPCA as overcrowded and filthy conditions. The Humane Society sent a team of five volunteer staff members, including one veterinarian, to care for the felines at an undisclosed location in Jacksonville.
None of the cats have been transported to the local Humane Society facility and none are currently available for adoption as they are considered evidence in a criminal case against the founder of Caboodle Ranch in Madison County.
“Many are exhibiting signs of severe neglect and appear to be suffering from upper respiratory conditions and eye infections, among a host of other medical issues,” the ASPCA posted on its website, www.aspca.org. “Some sick cats were housed together but not separated by their afflictions, allowing for the unfettered transmission of various diseases.”
“Since this is an active case, we cannot speak about the case or the cats,” said Humane Society spokeswoman Janet Winikoff. “What we can do is thank Indian River County. Thanks to our community’s support, The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County tries to help other agencies whenever we can. As a charity, we know we are extremely fortunate to have a so many residents that support our efforts.”
As for how people in Indian River County could help, Winikoff recommended financial donations go to the ASPCA directly and that those who are so inclined could sign up for Disaster Animal Response Team training at the Humane Society.
“We would love to see more people DART trained because people are needed,” Winikoff said of needing volunteers to assist with such rescue operations as Caboodle Ranch or during natural disasters.
The next DART training course will be held in Jupiter, Fla., in May. Anyone interested in signing up or getting more information can call Winikoff at the Humane Society, (772) 388-3331 x18.
According to the ASPCA, members found numerous deceased and decomposing cats on the property and shallow grave sites.
“There are some extremely sick animals,” said one ASPCA volunteer, as reported on the organization’s website. “Most are not at death’s door, but there are very, very few who are completely healthy.” She also notes that the majority of the cats are friendly and eager for human contact: “Four hundred of them just walked right into our carriers.”
According to Tim Rickey, senior director of the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response team, many of the Caboodle Ranch cats have upper respiratory and eye infections as well as other medical issues. The ASPCA also revealed that Caboodle Ranch had no formal spay/neuter and adoption programs in place.
Caboodle Ranch’s founder and operator, Craig Grant, has been arrested and charged with one count of felony animal cruelty, three counts of cruelty to animals and one count of scheming to defraud, according to the ASPCA.
The cat shelter had been under investigation for more than a year and, in February, the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response team was called in to help manage the removal of the cats from the facility, working with Madison County Animal Control and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the ASPCA, this is the most cats the organization has ever rescued from one location.
