A measure of justice has been served in South Carolina, where, following PETA's undercover investigation, the woman who fatally neglected cats at the now-thankfully defunct Sacred Vision Animal Sanctuary (SVAS) outside Myrtle Beach was convicted of violating a county animal-care ordinance this morning before Magistrate Margie Bellamy Livingston. Elizabeth Owen, who didn't even bother to show up but instead submitted her plea in writing, was fined $500 and sentenced to 30 days in jail, but both were suspended.

Legal Action—and Inaction

In March 2011, a Horry County judge ordered the seizure of a dog and approximately 240 cats from Owen—many of whom were suffering from painful conditions, such as anal maggots, herpes, tumors, seizures, abdominal abscesses, and severe gum disease. Nearly half of the animals had to be euthanized to alleviate their suffering.

County officials returned the dog and 30 cats to Owen. And then it got worse: County officials did not make good on promises to check on those animals' welfare. Meanwhile, Owen left the state—in violation of her bond, according to a prosecutor—and evidently took those animals with her. Although PETA's investigatory evidence was passed between four attorneys in the 15th Circuit Solicitor's Office, none of them filed state cruelty-to-animals charges against Owen. No other jurisdiction has ever failed to file charges based on such strong evidence against a hoarder still in possession of animals.

Sick 'Sanctuaries'

As with many so-called "no-kill" operations, SVAS was merely a cover for an animal hoarder. Owen knowingly deprived suffering cats of veterinary care—even refusing offers of free emergency treatment for dying cats—and stated that she would rather let the cats die at the facility than have them taken by officials.

In a disturbing twist, just before most of her animals were seized, Owen sent approximately 25 cats to Caboodle Ranch, another horrific "no-kill" cat "sanctuary," in Florida. Based on evidence gathered in a separate PETA investigation, officials there seized nearly 700 cats and arrested and charged Caboodle's founder and operator, Craig Grant, with felony cruelty to animals.

The recidivism rate for animal hoarders like Owen is virtually 100 percent. The failure of Owen's sentence to prevent her from causing more animals to suffer and die exposes a critical weakness in South Carolina law, which lacks a commonsense provision—found in most other states' laws—prohibiting convicted cruelty offenders from owning or possessing any animals.

How You Can Help Animals Harmed by 'No-Kill' Hoarders

Craig Grant and Caboodle Ranch continue to ask the public for donations, including money to pay Grant's legal fees. Ask Florida officials to cancel Caboodle's registration to solicit contributions.

Please join PETA in calling for legislation that would enable all South Carolina courts to bar those convicted of cruelty from having animals.

When we rescued Nudge and Olaf from miserable conditions in South Carolina hoarding facility Sacred Vision Animal Sanctuary, they were in desperate need of medical attention and love. Now, little more than a month later, they are healthy, playful, and enjoying their new homes.

Nudge's years spent in a cage are a distant memory as she runs and plays with her big brother, Tigger, in her new home with the parent of a PETA staffer. The two cats have become inseparable, and after playtime, they can often be found curled up in bed or watching TV together. Nudge's guardians say she is the perfect addition to the family.

PETA staffers were so charmed by Olaf that we couldn't bear to part with him. He's now an official office cat and spends his days bouncing from desk to desk and lap to lap. Despite a missing eye, a broken tail, and arthritic knees, he manages to keep everyone in line. He loves to play and cuddle with his fellow office cats, like Brandi, whom he's hanging out with in this picture:
 

 
If you are ready to open your home and heart to a new cat, visit the wonderful animals at your local shelter.

 
Written by Michelle Sherrow

For many of the cats who were rescued from the dungeon-like Sacred Vision Animal Sanctuary (SVAS) facility in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, it may seem like a dream come true. Trading cramped, filthy cages for cuddling, the cats are settling into their comfy new forever homes after the Horry County Animal Care Center held successful cat adopt-a-thons over the last couple of weekends. Dozens of people attended the events at the special shelter set up for the cats. Adoption opportunities will continue through this week. 

Since being rescued from the hoarding facility last month following a PETA investigation, the cats have undergone veterinary treatment for illnesses including upper respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, gaping and infected wounds, and painful dental conditions. PETA has submitted extensive evidence to the Horry County Solicitor's Office based on its investigation and is urging the solicitor to file state-level cruelty-to-animals charges against SVAS owner and operator Elizabeth Owens. You can help! Please send a polite e-mail to Solicitor Greg Hembree asking him to move forward with new charges in the case.

After much TLC, the cats are healing nicely and many have been spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed, and treated for fleas. The cats who are going up for adoption this week were not yet ready to attend the earlier adoption events, but they're now much healthier and ready for their own happily ever after. Thank you, Horry County, for getting these cats the help they need and deserve!

Written by Michelle Sherrow