http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/t/6294/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1648

Hoarder in Million-Dollar Home Charged with Cruelty : 150 cats abused!

Illustrating that the roots of animal hoarding are pathological and not financial, approximately 150 cats were discovered in March 2009 at Wendy Oughton's million-dollar home in Chester Township, New Jersey. Ms. Oughton is now facing over 90 criminal charges of animal cruelty related to animal hoarding.

The cats were allegedly living in deplorable conditions and the house, despite its value on paper, may be condemned. The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seized over 20 cats in the initial raid and was later able to successfully negotiate for the relinquishment of the remaining cats, with Oughton agreeing to pay for their cost of care during their recovery.

What You Can Do To Help
Please send letters to the local and county prosecutors encouraging them to fight for a meaningful sentence upon conviction - one that includes an order prohibiting Ms. Oughton from possessing animals for a significant period of time and inspection rights for humane agents.

The recidivism rate among animal hoarders nears 100%. Without a meaningful intervention, hoarders like Ms. Oughton will continue to collect animals and drain their community's resources. Please send your letters today and spread the word to family and friends.

Thank you for taking action to help animals! Together, we are winning the case against cruelty.

For the animals,

Stephen Wells
Executive Director
Animal Legal Defense Fund

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/t/6294/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=1648