Hoarded cats now up for adoption
Cliff Bennett, director of the Flathead County Animal Shelter, said Friday that 72 cats associated with a recent hoarding case now are available for adoption.
“We need to get these cats adopted out,” he said.
Edwin and Cheryl Criswell were arrested and charged with felony aggravated animal cruelty after more than 100 cats were found inside two trailers near Marion in December. The two pleaded innocent in Flathead County District Court in January.
They have said that they were trying to operate an animal rescue facility.
On Dec. 22, officials removed the cats from two dilapidated trailers described as “coated with feces.” Many were found suffering from neglect and a number of health issues at the time.
Bennett said the cats have been spayed and neutered and received other veterinary attention as needed. He said they are friendly with people.
“They’re in great shape now,” he said. “There’s a tremendous mix of cats. There are more tabbies than anything else.”
The shelter staff will have photos of the cats on the shelter’s newly upgraded website, flathead.mt.gov/animal. Fees to adopt cats are $25 for senior cats over six years old and $35 for the younger felines.
The Criswells’ trials are scheduled in June and August. According to Bennett, the couple agreed to surrender 72 of the cats for adoption. The court will decide whether they can keep the remaining cats that are evidence in the case.
In Idaho in 2006, the Criswells had more than 400 cats seized in Bonner County, leading to misdemeanor charges and suspended jail sentences that prohibited them from having more than 20 domesticated animals in their possession.
When the 100-plus cats were confiscated from them in December, the majority were taken and cared for by Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force in a remodeled trailer set up to shelter them. The animal shelter purchased cat food and litter while the task force provided the housing and volunteers.
“I don’t know what we would have done without them,” Bennett said. “The real heroes are the volunteers at the spay and neuter task force. These cats needed care every day.”
Volunteer Myni Ferguson organized up to 30 volunteers in shifts of three to five people daily to clean beds and litter, feed, water and pet the cats.
Bennett said the shelter has room to move 10 of the cats at a time into the Flathead County Animal Shelter.
“We’ll go over Monday and pick them up,” he said.
Bennett said people may come to the shelter at 225 Cemetery Road in Kalispell to see the cats. If they want to view one that is housed at the spay and neuter trailer, he said he would drive over to meet them there.
“I’ve been looking forward to and dreading this day,” Bennett.
He was looking forward to cutting back the cost of keeping the cats, which includes hauling many truck loads of cat litter. However, the shelter often has a difficult time finding homes for cats.
People who would like more information may call 752-1310.
The animal shelter is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter is closed on Sunday and Monday.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.