SEATTLE - At the request of the Idaho Humane Society, The Humane Society of the United States Northern Rockies Regional Office assisted with the seizure and subsequent forfeiture of 323 cats, last week, who were kept in deplorable conditions at the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort in Twin Falls, Idaho. The Rocky Mountain Cat Resort, the largest cat breeding facility in Idaho, bred and sold cats through the Internet and newspaper ads throughout the country.
On Thursday, April 20, the Idaho Humane Society (IHS), Twin Falls County Sheriff's Department and representatives from the Idaho Department of Agriculture served a search warrant on the facility. At the request of IHS, representatives with The HSUS assisted with the immediate care, and following forfeiture, transport and relocation of cats from the premises to IHS and People for Pets Magic Valley Shelter.
"The facility was horrendous. It's hard to believe that human or animal could have lived in such conditions" said Inga Gibson, program manager of the Pacific Northwest region for The HSUS. "If not for the intervention of the Idaho Humane Society, these cats would have met a much worse fate. We also commend the Twin Falls Sheriff's Department and Idaho Department of Agriculture for their handling of the case," Gibson said.
According to Jeff Rosenthal, DVM, executive director of the Idaho Humane Society, this was one of the worst cases of neglect he had ever encountered. "This case is particularly disturbing because this horrifically unsanitary facility was actively engaged in selling these animals to the public, Rosenthal said. "The Rocky Mountain Cat Resort appeared to be a reputable cattery from its pleasing exterior and through its advertisements in national magazines, but behind this façade hundreds of animals were suffering from neglect, untreated contagious disease and parasites."
The HSUS continues to assist by providing veterinary care and supplies for the animals currently sheltered at the Idaho Humane Society in Boise and People for Pets Magic Valley Shelter in Twin Falls. It is expected that many of the cats will be available for adoption and shelters from Washington and Oregon have already offered assistance with placement. The IHS will notify the public when the animals are ready for adoption.
Under current federal law, facilities such as the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort are exempt from USDA licensing and regulation. "Since there are no regulations for animal welfare standards, a highly profitable business such as the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort can get away with raising animals in conditions that breed animal cruelty and suffering," Gibson said. "When intervention does happen, local agencies and municipal shelters are forced to take in and shelter hundreds of animals, provide veterinary care for many who have extreme health problems and then to find them loving homes," said Gibson. "Local shelters and rescue groups are regularly overburdened and struggle to deal with these large-scale cruelty cases when they happen."
The Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS), introduced by Reps. Gerlach (R-PA) and Farr (D-CA) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Sens. Santorum (R-PA) and Durbin (D-IL) in the U.S. Senate, would strengthen existing law covering commercial breeding facilities by amending the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to require USDA coverage of commercial breeder who sell six or more litters of puppies or kittens directly to the public in a year.
Currently all commercial dealers of dogs and cats who sell animals directly to the public are able to evade AWA licensing and humane handling requirements. The growing popularity of the Internet has created an unintentional loophole in the current law allowing these dealers to be considered "pet stores" and thereby sidestep all federal oversight. Under PAWS, these breeders would have been inspected regularly, preventing severe suffering and harm to these animals and communities.
For more information about large-scale breeding facilities, go to www.stoppuppymills.com.
-30-
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 9.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, equine protection and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
The HSUS Northern Rockies Regional Office serves Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.
