See Updated Information in This Post.
The ASPCA announced this morning that, at the request of the Madison County FL Sheriff's Office and the Madison County Animal Control, that it had stepped in to rescue hundreds of cats in the sanctuary called Caboodle Ranch, and the owner has been arrested. According to the ASPCA Press Release issued this morning:
The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), at the request of the Madison County Sheriff's Office and Madison County Animal Control in northern Florida, is managing the removal and sheltering of hundreds of cats living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions from a non-profit cat sanctuary known as Caboodle Ranch in Lee, Fla., approximately 64 miles east of Tallahassee, Fla. This is the largest number of cats the ASPCA has ever removed from one location in an animal cruelty investigation.As a result of an investigation spanning for more than a year, a search warrant was executed Monday morning for the removal of the animals. The ASPCA is collecting additional evidence on the property for the investigation, as well as leading the removal and sheltering efforts with its Field Investigation and Response and Animal Forensics teams. The founder of Caboodle Ranch has been arrested and multiple animal cruelty charges are pending.
"After receiving numerous complaints regarding the care of animals at Caboodle Ranch, we're glad that the appropriate enforcement action is being taken," said Sheriff Ben Stewart with the Madison County Sherriff's Office. "This has been an ongoing issue that we've been monitoring and we're grateful that the ASPCA is able to provide assistance with the investigation."
This is not the first time Caboodle Ranch has been featured on this blog. In April of 2009, I featured Caboodle Ranch's Blog, "A Day at the Ranch," as my Cat Blog of the Week. Caboodle Ranch's Website also has a list of YouTube Videos which show a lot about the lives of the cats at Caboodle Ranch. I've read Caboodle Ranch's blog this morning and although there is an entry dated today, there is nothing about the ASPCA seizure, nor the owner, Craig Grant's arrest. However, by reading much farther down the blog, in January, this post, when read between the lines, gives a portent of the news to come.
Photo Credit: © Caboodle Ranch
For more information about the ASPCA's involvement in this case see its Press Release of today. I will definitely be following this case as it unfolds, both as a writer, a cat lover, and because of my previous interest in Caboodle Ranch.
Updated 2/27/12 6:06 p.m. ET: From WXTL TV in the Tallahassee area:
The ASPCA says the ranch has been under investigation for over a year. The undercover investigation was set into motion after complaints about the facility were received by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Video footage, allegedly taken by a PETA investigator, shows cats suffering from upper-respiratory infections so severe that the animals gasped for air and struggled to breathe, as mucus dripped from their noses.
I have to say that I have intentionally omitted the link to the video footage on the PETA Website. I could only bear to watch it for a few moments - my heart breaks for those poor cats. More later---
See Updated Information in This Post.
Comments
You will never enter a shetler or cat sanctuary and not find sick animals. It’s impossible to do. When you DO find a shelter with no sick animals, be assured they put them down….
He should NOT be charged with Animal Cruelty. That is insane. YES if you have cats in any shelter or rescue sometimes they will get sick and the person who posted above me is correct, then they are euthanized. Check out Miami Dades facility-those cats are euthanized so fast-and just for having Upper Respitory Infections. Maybe this sanctuary needed extra help to care for all the cats but this man seems to have loved the animals and he was trying to do the right hting.
I hope they return the cats…..a rescue group I am part of has taken cats down there and one of my unadoptable fosters went down there last month…. I hope she is ok. She isn’t friendly enough to be adopted !!!
YES he should be charged with animal cruelty!!!! He may have been trying to help, but he was oly hurting those cats. ANYONE can clearly see these cats were in desperate need of medical help. It is not the cats fault that he took on too many cats and could not take care of them all. He should have asked for help in the beginning, or not taken on as many cats. Maybe if he had actually did what he should have and asked for help then this would have never escalted like it did. And of course there are always sick animals BUT not like this, this is PLAIN ANIMAL CRUELTY! Exactly what he was charged for, and I am glad to see these cats get the attention and medical help they DESERVE!
I received an email from PETA showing one of the cats whose eye was so infected there was a hole around the eye socket. this poor cat suffered needlessly & has died do to neglect. Janet this man should be charged w/ neglect, if you watch the video it will make you sick & think twice befor just sending an animal to a “rescue”without first thoroughly checking the place out first. I do not belong to PETA nor donate to them but they do have proof. I hope the sick animals will be gien the help they so desperatly need to live.
My daughter was at the Caboodle Ranch for 4 days in January 2012. She said this is an incredibly wonderful place for the cats. Andria who has several cats of her own said Mr. Grant’s only fault may be not wanting to put the elderly sick cats down. He loves these animals and has provided a wonderful environment for them. What is the ulterior motive behind this?
I spoke too soon-I was able to open these videos and pictures from home and it saddens me! I pictured cats like the one my friend is feeding and trying to get antibiotics in ( a feral) he has a weepy eye-NOTHING like these poor animals. This is a very sad situation -I just dont understand why this man didn’t accept help, was help really offered and he denied?????
I don’t think that Craig Grant didn’t ask for help; according to his website the ranch received donations of food, money and volunteers to help run the ranch. It may be that there just wasn’t enough money coming in or enough volunteers to maintain a high standard of environmental safety for the cats.
We don’t know the whole story yet. Best to wait and see.
Instead of spending a year – a YEAR? Really? – investigating, why didn’t these organizations spend a year getting the shelter help? I guess it’s more important to be right than to make a real difference. Disgraceful.
I have to second Des’s comment.
I third Des’s Comment. I asked peta that very question and their response was they did help. didn’t look like it to me. it looked more like they wanted to shut down one more no-kill shelter … which they hate.
While reading this article I looked at my 6 rescue cats and 1 dog and noticed that Elvis only has 1 eye, Leo’s neurological condition causes him to walk like his feet are stuck to the floor. Bunny lost 50% of her fur last month after a reaction to penecillin and Princess has drippy eyes due to a severe infection that she had when I pulled her out of a dumpster 3 years ago etc….. Based on appearances, mine would be removed from my home and I would be placed under arrest except that I have the $6,000. in Vet bills to show that my husband and I have done our very best
I think that when these cats end up in a sancutuary they are in rough shape and we may want to reserve judgement.
Why doesn’t the community band together and get the place cleaned up? Acreage sounds better than cages at the humane society.
I went to CR in June, 20010m and then spent a week at CR as a volunteer last March. Most of the cats were happy and looked great. Of course I saw cats with URIs, and some skin conditions, but the accusations of cat abuse and neglect are false. I was able to see all areas of the ranch, no area was not accessible. The vet came one day, and all cats were treated. I know the amount of work that Craig puts in every day. I think this raid was disgusting. The video may or may not have been taken at CR. It may have been taken years ago. There have been many improvements. The Ranch was completing all the requirements necessary to get the EAH permit required by the County. They passed the AC reviews. There may have been some cats with open wounds–some wounds heal better exposed to the air. The cats had ample food, water, shelter. New cabins, two watch dogs in training. Yes, they can be outside–most cats would love that. I am utterly sick at this action and will do what I can to remedy it. A NJ fan.
If anything, the fact that this man was trying, even if he failed, to take care of so many cats, is a testament to the fact that spaying and neutering is not being done enough, quick enough, often enough.
No cat or person would be put in such a position if the public would learn that it is SO imperative to spay and neuter their cats and TNR ferals and strays.
I would never consider a video made by a PETA investigator as proof of anything. Their agenda is to shut down sanctuaries like Caboodle and Angel’s Gate in NY state.
Why does PETA focus on no-kill shelters? What did PETA offer as help?
PETA usually has a “hidden agenda”, and I would seriously doubt the so-called video “proof” they took, as being from this sanctuary. I trust them about as far as I could spit – much like many of our SPCA’s here in Ontario. I’ve had one too many bad experiences with our SPCA’s to ever trust them or donate to them ever again! I have found from personal experience that rescues run by ORDINARY people without an agenda (other than the health and well-being of cats) are the most reliable and reputable and deserving of my support.
I have helped relocate cats that would have been euthanized, to Caboodle Ranch. I have met Craig, and many of his volunteers on several occasions..and the cats! They loved him. Every Spring many of the cats would have resp. problelms..that’s why several local, and out of state Veterinary volunteers would come to the ranch to treat, innoculate and treat for fleas..groups from veterinary offices around the country have volunteered here. Arresting Craig and charging him with animal cruelty..is the highest form of cruelty!
By the way..I was at the ranch one afternoon, when the ASPCA pulled up in a van and dropped off more that 15 cats that were scheduled for euthanization..and handed them over to Craig! He always kept the new cats separate to get them used to the new environment. He did have a LOT of help. He received lots of animals that were already sick. He even fenced and fixed up 5 acres (there are 30 acres there) for sick animals to live separately, and only had them euthanized for humanitarian reasons..if they were still enjoying their time on this earth, he refused to kill them. There was a woman who dropped her cat off to Craig a while back..then decided she wanted it back. When he didn’t give it back..because why would you give an animal back to someone who abandoned it..she started a vendetta against him. She and PETA sound like two of a kind.
craig should not be charged with animal cruelty.. i believe it became overwhelming for him, he loves those cats, ..i have visited many times, my heart goes out to Craig and my prayers…he is a good person,…so many cats became out of control for one person to handle…. he never turned any away.. he has a heart for the strays, unwanted cats
I am not familiar with Caboodle Ranch, but I am familiar with PETA. It is my opinion that Peta is fanatic, not in a good way, as many animal lovers are fanatical when it comes to animals_I am.
PETA too often finds the worst scenario and that is what they post/film. Granted they have brought horrible abuse to light, but I don’t always believe what they say. I DO NOT donate to PETA!!
I am a Vet Tech, nearly every new pet exam we do on shelter kittens (in particular) we find URIs, its just a fact of sheltering given the amount of animals in close proximity.
I also realize that a sanctuary can become overcrowded, who wants to turn away animals that need help? I too agree with Des, why not help instead of taking a year to investigate. Where will all these cats go now?
I absolutely do not support PETA, I don’t condone how they go about things and typically they are overly dramatic about things…
However, in this case, watch the video. I understand cats get URIs and I understand it’s frustrating to rescues when those cats are killed almost immediately because of it, in shelters but the cats in this video…it’s not just one, or two or three.
Sorry, no. While my first instinct, upon reading and seeing PETA’s name is to think it was over hyped, after watching the actual video, (and yes I watched with a skeptic mind because I do not trust PETA at all), this man got what he deserved. He took on way too many that he just couldn’t handle. He did not have the money, he’s not had the money, for years his website has talked about how he doesn’t have the money…
As someone mentioned above, the cats should not have to suffer because this man took on way, way, way more than he could handle. There is no excuse for what was seen in the video.
Having said all of THAT! What is even MORE disgusting is that PETA took video of that cat with the eye problem and did NOTHING about it. They are JUST as guilty for letting that cat suffer since October as the owner. They BOTH let that cat suffer for months on end. The owner probably didn’t have the money. PETA? They have an agenda. But they don’t get off scot free here either and frankly, should also be charged since they KNEW it was going on and did nothing. What, they “offered”. Please. Should have done something back in October, according to the video, instead of sitting idly by while a cat suffered like that.
Can’t sit there and charge the man for that while you did the same thing. I hate PETA, deeply, but hard to argue with what you see in this video. You can’t hide filth.
You know, I really wonder where PETA got their “footage” of the Caboodle Ranch.
It doesn’t match other videos of the ranch.
For comparison, look at the Christmas video on Youtube of Caboodle Ranch, (can be found by following the links in this article) and then look at what PETA submits as their footage.
The two could not be any more vastly different if you tried.
WHERE did PETA film this on the Caboodle Ranch grounds?
The more I see and read, the more I think my first instinct is right, PETA is evil and lies.
The cats in the video PETA posted really ARE living in horrid conditions. But WHERE on the ranch is that video from?
How can one area of the ranch, (meaning from one video), be so clean, neat and fun and another be filthy, maggot infested and just sad?
I think I jumped the gun here. I said he got what he deserved. I think I’m wrong. I think PETA is lying, AGAIN.
They just rounded up 700 cats and I’ll bet most of them will be killed. In the Christmas video, just two months ago, those cats were enjoying a great life. But thanks to PETA, they have lost that life and I want to know where, exactly, what part of the ranch, did PETA get their footage.
I was wrong in my statement above about him deserving it. PETA is the real enemy here, always has been, always will be and they should be charged with animal cruelty unless they can provide absolute, 100%, concrete PROOF that they got their footage from the caboodle ranch.
Comparing the two videos, I can’t see how it’s possible.
I only hope that Craig gets what he deserves for having a hell hole for a sanctuary. I gave him cats and could no longer deal with him and I’m sure those cats were eaten by coyotes or died a long time ago. Waiting for him to pick up a cat was a nightmare. He spent a lot of time at the dog track and drinking. I’d have to call him about a dozen times when he was at the dog track and then meet him somewhere to pick up the cat at 10:00 at night!!!! After watching the videos and see how the cats suffered, I think he got greedy and forgot about the cats. He’ll have to answer to all of this stuff one day.
Serenity..you went on and on about Craig not havng the money. He had hundreds of FREE volunteers, including Veterinarians.. Vets came out REGULARLY to do free screening and treatments..Craig was not overwhelmed..it was not crowded..there’s 30 acres out there. There are fresh water springs and watering stations throughout the property..there are feeding stations..and most of the cats came to Craig for wet food and treats also. Had nothing to do with money or overcrowding. Had everything to do with some woman with a vendetta and PETA getting involved. What Craig doesn’t have is the $ to fight this. It’s their word..look at the responses here..”he deserves it” etc., etc.
Ah..and there’s Marilyn..the woman who dumped her cats..but still wanted control of them.. The one who has been making the complaints for about 2 yrs now..and probably the one who brought PETA in. She’s ruined Craigs life, and probably the lives of MOST of the cats that were “rescued” from Caboodle Ranch. Nice going Marilyn! All the cats I saw out there were happy..living their lives better than what they came from..now they will be killed!
And just one more comment from me..then I’m following Craig and friends on the Caboodle site: http://caboodleranch.livejournal.com/43057.html
Craig had a sanctuary..a heaven on earth for feral cats..it was never meant to be a home for indoor pets. Cats that could be adopted out from home to home..he wanted to see adopted out. He didn’t have a “pick up” service. If he picked someone’s cats up, it was as a personal favor and usually because someone gave him a sad story. He’s a sucker for cats and sad stories. Every time I was at Caboodle, Craig was there, surrounded by purring cats, and working hard. Whatever his personal proclivities..they’re none of my business, or anyone elses..his Vet., his volunteers and his family and friends saw him as a gentle soul..and so did the cats he cared for. This woman who has assassinated his character, and caused this upheaval, should be ashamed of herself..and the few whiners who joined her vendetta. I watched it happen on the Caboodle facebook site..and here we are now..hundreds of cats to be killed, Craig arrested by a SWAT team, and the heaven on earth for the sick, maimed, abandoned and feral cats, closed down. What a shame! That’s all I have to say..things work out, and I’m praying that Craig gets his day in court. He has MANY supporters..but it’ll be too late for the cats! Also..watch the video of Craig taking a donut break with the cats..I brought boxes of donuts out one day..it was the sweetest thing watching them surround him for their “picnic”…
No Craig should not be charged with animal cruelty, …it just got out of hand for one person, he ask for help never got it… he did everything himself all these years.. its a shame it came to this… Craig loves those cats he would never deliberately hurt an animal especially his cats.. it would be hard for one person to care for so many “unwanted” cats, he just couldn’t turn them down… he has a big heart, and should not be punished for that. i’ve visited Caboodle several times, cats were happy, laying around in the tree houses, following Craig all over the place, … he did the best he could do. Do NOT Agree he should NOT be charged with animal abuse…
He wasn’t overwhelmed..he did ask for help..he did recieve help..he met the standards of an animal sanctuary..this is all baloney..the few mentally ill people who lost their homes and cats turned their despair and anger on him..PETA got involved..and this is what happens. It’s a sad story..but the losers are the cats which will be euthanized because shelters will not be able to adopt the ferals out..even though Craig had socialized most of them..they’re not used to other people..the few that were pets will get adopted back to homes..which is where they should have gone in the first place, but people were happy to turn their responsibilities of their pets over to him!
http://www.petakillsanimals.com/
“According to records from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, PETA killed 1,911 cats and dogs last year while placing just 24 in adoptive homes. Since 1998, a total of 27,751 pets have died at the hands of PETA workers.”
I don’t know whether any of this is true or nbot. What I do know is that in PETA’s manefesto is a pragraph wherein they state that (praphrased) all cats and dogs need to be eliminated from earth! Now, if you can read that, then look at their actions here and not question it, I feel very sorry for you. This action was motivated for one purpose only and that is the easy elimination of many felines. This man has devoted his life to these cats that no one else wanted, he has spayed and neutered everyone of them and feeds them daily. If you’ve not looked at his site, you must to see all the lil houses and such that he has built for them.
This is a very sad day, indeed and will be the DEATH of many loving, trusting kittehs. This is the second large feline rescue facility in FL that the ASPCA and PETA have destroyed …
Shame on PETA, ASPCA and the county officials of FL!
Yes, the owner SHOULD be prosecuted; anyone who says that an evil person like that should not, is as bad as the cat abuser. There are special places with Satan for ANYONE who abuses animals in ANY way. I’m just surprised that it took so long to rescue those cats.
When people see those cats in the news, there will be more adopted than put down. Do the ones of you who are for this cat abuser want him to keep doing it? People like that do not ask for help because they do NOT care; it’s almost like animal hoarding. I’m sure you have seen those shows. If they had not been rescued ,they would have died more horribly than being eusthanised. If you are for him, maybe all of you should be investigated about YOUR animals. Maybe this discussion will unveil your wrongdoings; I hope so.
I know personally that it was a requirement to have your cat up to date on vaccines and spayed or neutered before he would accept them.-Don’t know about the past,but last year that was the rule.Obviously people were taking advantage,or they were slipping in.The wholwe situation is so sad. Peta needs to be shut down.They are so hated that they have to rely on has beens to promote them through ads,etc.Lets all pledge together to shut them down. I’d really like ‘Marilyns’ full name and address. ..Just out of curiosity.
-This is for Sheila..If there were hundreds of vets-why were those cats in that shape? That is the question on everyone’s mind.Obviously he had money coming from somewhere-since he posted that $250,000-? bond.That may be wrong-there are so many stories circulating.I just don’t see why they were left in that shape.I’m sure that the video was taken when he was not even there.
Please wait for more information before you judge this man. He may have gotten in over his head , he may not have asked for help soon enough or often enough. But his intentions were honest and compassionate and it is very likely that a few disgruntled people may have ruined his reputation , which in turn could have made getting financial help difficult. With today’s social media options it would be very easy to spread lies and incite hate. And remember that neither the ASPCA nor PETA do anything to help shelters and PETA thinks dogs and cats should be killed rather than live as pets ! Both the ASPCA and PETA have a severe hatred for any kind of no kill effort because their mission is to raise funds to kill animals with. You can be sure that the only thing they will do for the Caboodle cats is to butcher them.
I think it’s time to put peta down, force them to show where they made the video, and charge them with every thing posable,along with the woman involved, and put them out of bisness for good. I wounder if the rico act applies. In the mean time someone should file an injuction preventing any of the cats being put down. for any that have been killed a wrongfull death sute should be brought against peta for enough money to put them out of busness for good.
PETA should be ashamed of themselves! Ethical treatment of animals DOESN’T involve killing them!
I’ve never liked PETA, I’ve never really understood them, they claim to be helping animals but I’ve never found anything to prove that they do. This is really sad news, and there should’ve been more investigation than just a PETA video shuting down a place like this. All those poor cats now having to live in a cage untill someone realise they most likely can’t get a new home and then that’s it for them, that just breaks my heart. PETA should be investigated for animal cruelty!!!
For the person who said Craig had money if he posted the 250K bond–you only post 10%.
As for the video, I personally know that the frig with the meds is clean and was not like the one shown. I said in a previous comment that I was there for 5 days. I used a frig that was clean. I think the one shown in the video was being discarded and the electric was turned off. You think maggots wouldn’t grow? The cat with the bad eye had been to the vet often and was on an eye drop regimen. I don’t know if the PeTA agent continued it. Maybe not to get a dramatic video.
Both times I was there I was pleased with the conditions. The new cabins have heat and AC. They were all being painted with the proper paint to make sanitizing easier. So many improvements were being made.
There is a petition being circulated to help Craig and Caboodle. Go to http://www.change.org/petitions/free-craig-grant. Or when you get to the site, put that info in the search window.
If Caboodle can be made whole again, with some extra help and supervision, it would be an asset to Madison County, which I think can use it.
I volunteer at a local no cage, no kill cat shelter, which is small compared to Caboodle Ranch & I have 14 of my own. We average about 100 cats at the shelter.
It takes a tremendous amount of effort just to maintain the shelter & care for all of the cats. We have 4-6 employees & I’m not sure how many volunteers. The director works full time just keeping records on all of the cats, applying for assistance in kitty litter, food, veternary assistance, etc., not to mention fund raisers, & the newsletter. Yes, you are going to have sick cats that have to have medical attention. Also, there are times that you have to turn away kitties, because of capacity limitations. That is the difficult part. I pray that Craig will be given the opportunity to get his shelter back together & receives the assistance necessary to maintain & healthy environment for the kitties in dire need of care.
Those of you who said that this ranch is wonderful and Grant was helping these cats are delusional. Have you seen the video? Hello! Grant needs to be locked up with the key thrown away. If everything was so great at this ranch then what explains all the suffereing cats, the conditions these poor cats endured, the sick cats, especially the cat with the abused eye who by the way, just died in January. If everything was so great at this ranch then we wouldn’t be having this discussion and there wouldn’t have been an investigation and an arrest. Get a reality check people!
Pamela, I have deleted two of your comments which were posted in all caps and filled with obscene vindictive remarks. Others have been able to contain themselves, even though this topic is upsetting, no matter which side of the fence you might be on. Yours have been completely over the top, and i will continue to delete yours and any others in that same vein.
Young people visit this web site and I do not want them exposed to the kind of garbage I’ve seen here.
cats that are ill need vet care and meds.These cats were left to drown in their own mucous.They were not well taken care of,they were abused and suffering.Perhaps those here who visited this place were not shown every area.One area was filled with dead and dying cats.You would not be shown that.As for PETA,we know their track record,but they checked out complaints about this rescue.Not all rescues are legitimate.
Dale, I went to the change.org link you provided above, but it could not find the page. I tried several searches, but nothing came up.
Also, I do not know all the details of this story. I myself have been involved in animal, mainly cat, rescue for 10 years. One thing I do know, is that if PETA is behind it, I’m immediately suspicious. Any organization that has it’s officers openly supporting homeland terrorism, not to mention their views that no one should have pets, as it’s slavery, is reason enough to take a deep breath and take another look at the facts or have someone else investigate. No government should accept any evidence from PETA as the defining “proof” for prosecution.
Someone just sent me a petition to sign because an employee had her cats taken away too? The petition is to have all of her cats returned and goes on to state that she was “merely an employee” and her cats should not have been taken away? I’m sorry, merely an employee??? How could anyone go to that place on a daily basis, see what was going on and not report it???? Anyone who had anything to do with that place should never be allowed to have pets.
No more donation to ASPCA. They used Tommy , Craig’s ailing cat to solicit money. How could they do that? As for PETA., We never gave money to them ever since. PETA/ASPCA never showed the entire property of the video and its all amnities for the cats. How can we trust them? NO MORE!
What PETA & the ASPCA has done to these people is atrocious! The cats they claimed were sick, were because they were in the SICK WARD taking pictures of them undercover! These cats were being treated for their conditions! The cats were perfectly happy living there & now most of them will be put down for nothing! Those animal rights groups need to leave well enough alone!! Mind their own business already!!! Read their blog if you want to hear the REAL story of what happened!
This entire situation at Caboodle Ranch is another hatchet job by PeTA and their friends at hsus. aspca, who had never been to the Ranch, and the sheriff of Madison sent a swat team against one man and a bunch of cats. Such brave people. The video prepared by our little friends (not) at PeTA was collected in bits and pieces over a 5 to 6 month period then spliced together to make quite the damming presentation. This is what they do so well. The infiltrator worked in the Ranch hospital with, guess what, sick cats. She neglected her work making the whole thing look worse. Mr, Grant has tirelessly taken care of these unwanted animals and this is what he gets. PeTA is constantly doing this to good shelters and, because of the stupidity of officials, closing them and probably euthanizing the animals. PeTA wins again. Their leader the wicked Ingrid wants the exterminatiion of all pets and thinks people like you and I shouldn`t have them at all. Read. Inform yourself not just one side but both. Look at PeTA`s record of kills as well as hsus and aspca to a degree.
@Lynn (Feb 27, 2012
“I received an email from PETA showing one of the cats whose eye was so infected there was a hole around the eye socket. this poor cat suffered needlessly & has died do to neglect.”
I hope that you are not gullible enough to believe PETA. The only one with less credibility is Obama. I believe that if PETA showed pictures of something like that, then PETA probably tortured and mistreated the cat just so that they could take pictures and blame Caboodle Ranch. PETA is the biggest destructive force to animals ever to exist. Not only are they useless for animals, they are also useless as human beings.
I have been to Caboodle Ranch and for people to say Craig should be charged and never even been to his ranch is a joke! I left some cats there and walked the ranch, never once did Craig or anyone else tell us where we could or could not go! Sure there were some sick cats, show me a humane society or other pound and tell me there are no sick cats, get a life people. I returned several days later, un announced and saw Craig and his crew cleaning the area, there was plenty of fresh water, dry food and all the cats were so happy! So before you abuse, criticize and accuse, walk a mile in his shoes! Visit first, then remark! If you have been there, you would know how nice of a place it was for all those cats! Give the man his cats back. shut down PETA and fine the ASPCA!
I have dealt personally with PETA, and I will never believe a word they say, nor any video they produce. Years ago, I was seeking help because an appallingly ignorant man, president of a local college, believed cats were evil (tools of the devil, yet), and had decided to get rid of the feral cat colony that had lived at the college since it was built – before, actually, since the cats lived in the area that was bulldozed for the construction of the college. He & I clashed repeatedly; I explained that the school had a history of mice and that the cats traditionally handled the mice. Without cats, they’d had to use chemical deterrents, which affected students who were chemically sensitive. He decided I was a witch (true story), & he ordered the janitorial staff to seal all the ventilation holes to the areas underneath the buildings to keep the cats out. When I explained that there were litters of kittens under there (we were in the midst of TNR) and his plan would kill them, he shrugged. We simply unsealed the ventilation holes. He announced that any student or teacher who fed the cats would be removed from campus; I invited a TV station to come film me feeding them.
So I asked PETA for help. Their response: “You may be surprised to learn that we do not support feral cats, due to their possible impact upon birds.” I told them they were a bunch of phony hypocrites and repeated it on TV. I’d be glad to do the same today.
What happened? The school backed off about the cats… until the holidays when everyone was gone and the janitors were feeding them. Then the damned president brought in help (probably PETA, for all we know) and had every cat removed before the January term.
We had a huge number of withdrawals that semester, because students were TICKED OFF.
That president was forced to resign in disgrace less than a year later, his career in education over. That school has never recovered, enrollment-wise. Exactly the karma they deserved.