ASPCA AIDS IN ANTI-CRUELTY RAID OF RECORD PROPORTIONS

In one of the largest anti-cruelty raids on recent record, 516 ailing cats were removed from the property known as the Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary in Tarentum, PA, 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) obtained a warrant to search the property after a former Butler County humane officer who volunteered for Tiger Ranch used a hidden camera to videotape the horrific conditions that existed inside.

On the evening of March 13, a team of 120 ASPCA and PSPCA animal welfare experts found multiple buildings filled with hundreds of sick, malnourished cats living in squalor. Deceased cats were also discovered throughout the property, 110 of them removed from freezers and graves.

“This is by far the worst case we’ve ever encountered,” said Howard Nelson, PSPCA CEO. “Our primary concern is to get these animals the care and treatment they so desperately need.”

Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director, Veterinary Forensics, comments, “The overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, the flea and parasite infestation, along with the stress of competing for food and coping with untreated illnesses, have resulted in severe conditions.” She adds, however, that the majority of the cats seem friendly and well-socialized. “Many of them came running up to us when we arrived, and every effort is being made to treat those whom we think can be saved.”

The cats have been transferred to the Clarion County Humane Society where they’re being treated by veterinarians with the goal of being made available for future adoption. They will remain in quarantine for at least 30 days.

The sanctuary’s owner, Linn Marie, age 45—also known as Linda Bruno—has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty.

For more detailed information, please visit ASPCA.org.