More than 100 adorable, adoptable cats need new homes by the new year! The cats were rescued by Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement officers from Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary in Frazer, Pa. in March 2008 and have been cared for in a local facility in Clarion County since that time.
“We are committed to securing a happy ending for each of these animals who have already been through so much,” said Pennsylvania SPCA CEO Susan Cosby. “Our goal is for every one of these cats to start the new year in a new home where they can live out the rest of their lives in safety and comfort.”
The temporary facility will close on December 31, 2009. Any cats that are not adopted by the end of the year will be transported to other Pennsylvania SPCA facilities and will remain available for adoption until they find homes.
The cats are now available at the Clarion County facility, 9562 Route 322 in Shippenville, Pa. The cost of adoption is $60 and interested adopters should visit the shelter in person. Adoption hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 814.226.9192.
BACKGROUND:
In March 2008, the Pennsylvania SPCA searched the Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary in Frazer, Pa., a 29-acre property owned and operated by Linda Bruno (aka Lin Marie) that was billed as a refuge for unwanted and stray cats. Upon entering the property with a warrant obtained from the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office and along with animal welfare experts from the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), Pennsylvania SPCA officials found hundreds of cats living in squalor in multiple buildings, suffering from numerous serious illnesses and disease. Additional felines were found dead on the Tiger Ranch property. Animals were transported to the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Clarion County facility where they received medical treatment.
Linda Bruno was charged with seven felony charges for tampering with public records, seven misdemeanor forgery charges and three charges of practicing as an unlicensed veterinarian as well as hundreds of counts of animal cruelty. At her July 13, 2009 trial, Bruno pleaded guilty to 12 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and two other counts of tampering with evidence. Prosecutors withdrew more than 600 other charges. Bruno is scheduled to be sentenced in December and could face jail time.
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered in Philadelphia, has been dedicated to rescuing animals from abuse and neglect, providing lifesaving care and treatment, and reducing pet-overpopulation through low-cost spay-and-neuter clinics and public awareness initiatives. Through these efforts, the Pennsylvania SPCA
prevents cruelty toward animals and promotes respect for their welfare, thus enhancing the lives of people and their companion animals throughout the state of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania SPCA operates adoption centers in Wellsboro, Centre Hall, Danville and Montrose, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia headquarters, located at 350 E. Erie Ave., houses a full-service animal hospital, obedience training academy, adoption facility, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department. Philadelphia’s Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT), powered by the Pennsylvania SPCA , is contracted by the city to perform animal control, as well as finding homes for Philadelphia's thousands of stray and surrendered animals via rescue, foster care, and adoption. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call 215.426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.
