SEASIDE, Calif- Last month the SPCA for Monterey County rescued 51 cats from a pair of accused hoarders in Seaside. Officers also uncovered 113 dead kittens. Thursday morning charges were filled against the mother and daughter who are accused of hoarding the animals.
Donna Johnson and her mother, Maggie Johnson are facing several counts of animal abuse. Donna Johnson is charged with three felony counts of cruelty to animals and both women are charged with three misdemeanor charges of animal neglect.
They are scheduled to be arraigned on September 11th at the Salinas court house.
This heartbreaking story has received international attention and the SPCA is working to give the cats a good home.
Since the rescue, four cats had to go into surgery for pyometra, a severe infection of the uterus that is fatal if left untreated. Three of those cats also suffered from E. coli infections in their uteruses, said the SPCA.
Sadly, despite emergency medical care, one of the rescued cats had to be euthanized due to severe, incurable sepsis. A second cat suffered a rapid and unexpected decline of health and also needed to be euthanized. A third cat died of unknown causes. The SPCA is doing Necropsies to find out what was wrong with those cats.
Despite being rescued from terrible conditions the rest of the cats are doing okay and showing improvements, said the SPCA. People from across the globe are donating items to help with the care of the rescued cats. People have donated cat trees, beds, toys, and supplies. According to the SPCA, those items are helping teach the rescued cats to play and relax.
Every day the SPCA sees more cats coming out of hiding and wanting to be brushed or petted, click here to see pictures.
The SPCA said it had originally received reports that some of the cats may have been taken from local streets and may have owners looking for them. To date, no matches have been made. If you want to donate items, or put your name on a list of potential adopters please contact The SPCA for Monterey County at 831-373-2631 or visit them online at www.SPCAmc.org/cats.
