Cats Kept in Bone-Chilling Cold at Local Breeding Operation; PETA Seeks Criminal Probe
For Immediate Release:
March 25, 2025
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
A just-released federal report reveals that Dunroven Farms, a breeding facility near Newell operated by Valorie Craig, confined cats in frigid temperatures—marking the ninth alleged violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act there in eight months, after the operation denied veterinary care to an ailing cat, left a cat’s fur matted with feces, and more. Despite this pattern of repeated violations, federal officials have yet to rescue a single animal or seek any penalties against Craig, so PETA sent a letter today to Buena Vista County Attorney Paul A. Allen, asking him to investigate the facility—which confines approximately 40 cats—and file applicable charges against those responsible for the neglect.
According to the latest report, on February 14, a federal veterinarian found cats kept in a room with a temperature of 37.7 degrees with ice floating in their water bowls. Previously, on October 2, 2024, a federal inspector observed a cat turning in circles with her head leaning to the right, which the inspector noted could indicate a potentially painful, underlying medical problem. Craig had not contacted her attending veterinarian to help the cat, even though she had been in this condition for nearly two months. That same day, the inspector documented another cat who had matted fur with feces trapped under her tail, which can cause “skin irritation, pain, and discomfort.”
“Miserable breeding factories like this one deny cats crucial care and treat them as nothing but commodities to be churned out as cheaply as possible,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling on Buena Vista County authorities to prosecute those responsible and urges everyone to adopt their companion animals—never buy from a breeder or pet store.”
PETA is pursuing charges under state law because the federal government doesn’t render relief or aid to animals during its inspections, and, as Craig’s history shows, these violations carry no criminal or civil penalties.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Allen follows.
March 25, 2025
The Honorable Paul A. Allen
Buena Vista County Attorney
I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to request that your office (and the proper law-enforcement agency, as you deem appropriate) investigate and, as suitable, file criminal charges against those responsible for neglecting cats at Dunroven Farms, a breeding facility operated by Valorie Craig at 2310 630th St. near Newell. PETA hopes investigators will visit the facility with a veterinarian who has expertise in feline health and welfare to identify any animals in need of care and opine on the conditions of and for the nearly 40 cats there.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinarian and inspector documented neglect at the facility in the attached reports. On February 14, the veterinarian found eight cats confined amid temperatures as low as 37.7 degrees. Ice was floating in water bowls provided to half these cats.
On October 2, 2024, the inspector found that one of Craig’s cats was “turning in large circles” with her head tilted to the right, which can “indicate an underlying health issue” and result in pain. According to the inspector, Craig admitted that—even though the cat had been in this condition for up to two months—she apparently hadn’t sought veterinary care for her.
The same day, another cat was found with matted fur on her back and under her tail, where feces were trapped. All this can cause “skin irritation, pain and discomfort.” The inspector also found that waste was not being removed daily from litterboxes, which she noted could “increase the risk of disease.” If you’d like to learn more about the USDA’s findings, please see the contact information for its office here.
These findings appear to violate Iowa’s animal neglect statute, Iowa Code § 717B.3(1). While Craig operates a commercial establishment, Iowa Code § 162.10A requires that she ensure her animals do not lack adequate veterinary care, grooming, housing facilities, and sanitation; accordingly, the above findings are not exempt from investigation as animal neglect. The USDA renders no aid or relief whatsoever to animals on site; these reports carry no criminal or civil penalties and don’t preempt criminal liability under state law for acts of animal neglect. Iowa law provides these victims with their only hope for a small measure of justice. We urge your office to seek it.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Paden
Vice President of Legal Advocacy
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
