Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
 

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html

Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
Animal Shelter Workers Stunned By Neglect Case
POSTED: 10:08 a.m. EST December 3, 2003
RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Officials at Jasper County's animal shelter were
reviewing pet adoption procedures after authorities removed nearly 50 dead
cats from the garage of a woman who offered to help find new homes for
animals.
"We love these animals," shelter employee Karen Adams said Tuesday. "We
thought we were doing a favor by letting them go with her, never dreaming
.... we thought we were saving lives."
Prosecutors in LaPorte County charged Kathy Shotsberger, 45, of Michigan
City, with seven counts of animal neglect. She was released Monday on $300
bond. She could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on each
count if convicted.
The Associated Press was unable to contact Shotsberger for comment
Wednesday. There was no number under her name in published listings for
Michigan City, and she was believed to be staying with her mother in
Chicago.
Police arrested Shotsberger on Sunday after officers found cages full of
dead cats, birds and rabbits stacked throughout her garage. In a nearby
modular home officers found 29 live animals, mostly beagles, inside cages or
locked in rooms with floors soaked in waste.
Some of the cages had been loaned to Shotsberger by workers at the Jasper
County shelter in Rensselaer.
Director Paula Wilcox said Shotsberger first took four dogs and 21 cats from
the shelter in April 2002 with the understanding that she would find new
owners for the animals. She last visited the shelter on Nov. 20, when she
was allowed to leave with six cats. She was not charged a fee.
"It's hard to believe what happened," said Wilcox, one of two workers at the
northwest Indiana shelter. "We didn't suspect anything. Kathy had been here
many times."
Adams said Shotsberger returned to the shelter frequently, bringing orders
for specific animals she said she could place with families in her area.
Authorities said it appeared Shotsberger was taking the animals home and
leaving them in cages without food or water. Police said she apparently
became overwhelmed by the number of animals in her care.
Wilcox said she and Adams may begin checking with other animal shelters and
police to see if they had received any complaints before releasing animals
to rescue groups. But with a staff of two and one animal control officer,
such procedures could be time-consuming.
Shotsberger also adopted two beagles from the Porter County animal shelter
on separate occasions about three years ago, said Sandy Ogle, its director.
"That's the only contact we had with her," she said.

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The ONE and ONLY
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Some people should be shot.

I don't have a *major* problem with people not liing animals, we all have
our tastes....but why do this to the poor little defenceless things?

GRRRRR

Angela and Gizmo
"Magic Mood Jeep©" wrote in message
news:WVozb.411790$Fm2.418263@attbi_s04...
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html

Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
Animal Shelter Workers Stunned By Neglect Case
POSTED: 10:08 a.m. EST December 3, 2003
RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Officials at Jasper County's animal shelter were
reviewing pet adoption procedures after authorities removed nearly 50 dead
cats from the garage of a woman who offered to help find new homes for
animals.
"We love these animals," shelter employee Karen Adams said Tuesday. "We
thought we were doing a favor by letting them go with her, never dreaming
... we thought we were saving lives."
Prosecutors in LaPorte County charged Kathy Shotsberger, 45, of Michigan
City, with seven counts of animal neglect. She was released Monday on $300
bond. She could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on each
count if convicted.
The Associated Press was unable to contact Shotsberger for comment
Wednesday. There was no number under her name in published listings for
Michigan City, and she was believed to be staying with her mother in
Chicago.
Police arrested Shotsberger on Sunday after officers found cages full of
dead cats, birds and rabbits stacked throughout her garage. In a nearby
modular home officers found 29 live animals, mostly beagles, inside cages
or
locked in rooms with floors soaked in waste.
Some of the cages had been loaned to Shotsberger by workers at the Jasper
County shelter in Rensselaer.
Director Paula Wilcox said Shotsberger first took four dogs and 21 cats
from
the shelter in April 2002 with the understanding that she would find new
owners for the animals. She last visited the shelter on Nov. 20, when she
was allowed to leave with six cats. She was not charged a fee.
"It's hard to believe what happened," said Wilcox, one of two workers at
the
northwest Indiana shelter. "We didn't suspect anything. Kathy had been
here
many times."
Adams said Shotsberger returned to the shelter frequently, bringing orders
for specific animals she said she could place with families in her area.
Authorities said it appeared Shotsberger was taking the animals home and
leaving them in cages without food or water. Police said she apparently
became overwhelmed by the number of animals in her care.
Wilcox said she and Adams may begin checking with other animal shelters
and
police to see if they had received any complaints before releasing animals
to rescue groups. But with a staff of two and one animal control officer,
such procedures could be time-consuming.
Shotsberger also adopted two beagles from the Porter County animal shelter
on separate occasions about three years ago, said Sandy Ogle, its
director.
"That's the only contact we had with her," she said.

--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
http://www.geocities.com/the_magic_mood_jeep/
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep

Why didn't the shelter check on her before giving out the cats, I wonder?

Stacey :) (who remembers the trouble the wonderful woman went through with
Jim, Zack and Fliss)

"Magic Mood Jeep©" wrote in message
news:WVozb.411790$Fm2.418263@attbi_s04...
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html

Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
Animal Shelter Workers Stunned By Neglect Case
POSTED: 10:08 a.m. EST December 3, 2003
RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Officials at Jasper County's animal shelter were
reviewing pet adoption procedures after authorities removed nearly 50 dead
cats from the garage of a woman who offered to help find new homes for
animals.
"We love these animals," shelter employee Karen Adams said Tuesday. "We
thought we were doing a favor by letting them go with her, never dreaming
... we thought we were saving lives."
Prosecutors in LaPorte County charged Kathy Shotsberger, 45, of Michigan
City, with seven counts of animal neglect. She was released Monday on $300
bond. She could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on each
count if convicted.
The Associated Press was unable to contact Shotsberger for comment
Wednesday. There was no number under her name in published listings for
Michigan City, and she was believed to be staying with her mother in
Chicago.
Police arrested Shotsberger on Sunday after officers found cages full of
dead cats, birds and rabbits stacked throughout her garage. In a nearby
modular home officers found 29 live animals, mostly beagles, inside cages
or
locked in rooms with floors soaked in waste.
Some of the cages had been loaned to Shotsberger by workers at the Jasper
County shelter in Rensselaer.
Director Paula Wilcox said Shotsberger first took four dogs and 21 cats
from
the shelter in April 2002 with the understanding that she would find new
owners for the animals. She last visited the shelter on Nov. 20, when she
was allowed to leave with six cats. She was not charged a fee.
"It's hard to believe what happened," said Wilcox, one of two workers at
the
northwest Indiana shelter. "We didn't suspect anything. Kathy had been
here
many times."
Adams said Shotsberger returned to the shelter frequently, bringing orders
for specific animals she said she could place with families in her area.
Authorities said it appeared Shotsberger was taking the animals home and
leaving them in cages without food or water. Police said she apparently
became overwhelmed by the number of animals in her care.
Wilcox said she and Adams may begin checking with other animal shelters
and
police to see if they had received any complaints before releasing animals
to rescue groups. But with a staff of two and one animal control officer,
such procedures could be time-consuming.
Shotsberger also adopted two beagles from the Porter County animal shelter
on separate occasions about three years ago, said Sandy Ogle, its
director.
"That's the only contact we had with her," she said.

--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
http://www.geocities.com/the_magic_mood_jeep/
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep

Stacey wrote:

Why didn't the shelter check on her before giving out the cats, I wonder?

I had the same thought. The shelter is at least partially
responsible for letting these animals go without checking
on them. I could accept not checking if it were only one
or two, but dozens?

8^(~~~ Sue (remove the x to e-mail)
~~~~~~

"I reserve the absolute right to be smarter
today than I was yesterday." -Adlai Stevenson
*************************************************
http://www.suzanne-eckhardt.com/
http://www.intergnat.com/malebashing/

Makes me sick to the stomache just to think of it
someone should put her in a shelter and throw away
the key. J. P.
Magic Mood Jeep© wrote in message
news:WVozb.411790$Fm2.418263@attbi_s04...
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html

Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
Animal Shelter Workers Stunned By Neglect Case
POSTED: 10:08 a.m. EST December 3, 2003
RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Officials at Jasper County's animal shelter were
reviewing pet adoption procedures after authorities removed nearly 50 dead
cats from the garage of a woman who offered to help find new homes for
animals.
"We love these animals," shelter employee Karen Adams said Tuesday. "We
thought we were doing a favor by letting them go with her, never dreaming
... we thought we were saving lives."
Prosecutors in LaPorte County charged Kathy Shotsberger, 45, of Michigan
City, with seven counts of animal neglect. She was released Monday on $300
bond. She could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on each
count if convicted.
The Associated Press was unable to contact Shotsberger for comment
Wednesday. There was no number under her name in published listings for
Michigan City, and she was believed to be staying with her mother in
Chicago.
Police arrested Shotsberger on Sunday after officers found cages full of
dead cats, birds and rabbits stacked throughout her garage. In a nearby
modular home officers found 29 live animals, mostly beagles, inside cages
or
locked in rooms with floors soaked in waste.
Some of the cages had been loaned to Shotsberger by workers at the Jasper
County shelter in Rensselaer.
Director Paula Wilcox said Shotsberger first took four dogs and 21 cats
from
the shelter in April 2002 with the understanding that she would find new
owners for the animals. She last visited the shelter on Nov. 20, when she
was allowed to leave with six cats. She was not charged a fee.
"It's hard to believe what happened," said Wilcox, one of two workers at
the
northwest Indiana shelter. "We didn't suspect anything. Kathy had been
here
many times."
Adams said Shotsberger returned to the shelter frequently, bringing orders
for specific animals she said she could place with families in her area.
Authorities said it appeared Shotsberger was taking the animals home and
leaving them in cages without food or water. Police said she apparently
became overwhelmed by the number of animals in her care.
Wilcox said she and Adams may begin checking with other animal shelters
and
police to see if they had received any complaints before releasing animals
to rescue groups. But with a staff of two and one animal control officer,
such procedures could be time-consuming.
Shotsberger also adopted two beagles from the Porter County animal shelter
on separate occasions about three years ago, said Sandy Ogle, its
director.
"That's the only contact we had with her," she said.

--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
http://www.geocities.com/the_magic_mood_jeep/
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep

Magic Mood Jeep© wrote:
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html

This woman should spend six months in jail without food or water.
--
Adrian
A House Is Not A Home, Without A Cat.

"Magic Mood Jeep©" wrote in message news:WVozb.411790$Fm2.418263@attbi_s04...
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html

Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
Animal Shelter Workers Stunned By Neglect Case
POSTED: 10:08 a.m. EST December 3, 2003
RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Officials at Jasper County's animal shelter were
reviewing pet adoption procedures after authorities removed nearly 50 dead
cats from the garage of a woman who offered to help find new homes for
animals.
"We love these animals," shelter employee Karen Adams said Tuesday. "We
thought we were doing a favor by letting them go with her, never dreaming
... we thought we were saving lives."

This is a big wake-up call for anyone who places animals in foster
homes. Do home inspections!

I once worked (at a vet) with a woman who did rescue, and had all
sorts of animals - rabbits, turtles, dogs, cats - supposedly her house
was a *wreck* and the animals weren't as well kept as they shpuld have
been. She was the meanest b!tch I have ever met - smacked cats and was
just abusive. I wouldn't let her take care of an amoeba.

-L.

Well, as Joyce points out, woman may have thought of herself as "loving" the
cats - to take them from shelter - but: to *not feed or water them*? When I
come home from work, the Evil 3 start nagging for their midnight "snack"
food spread......and that's just after 8 or 9 hours or so. Confined in
cages, unable even to seek out water nor anything to eat.....my blood boils
in its arteries (probably good for the blockages, but still....) imagining
this. Some people just can't stand to see anything hungry-looking, and I'm
one of these.....talk about wanting to kick someone's butt
*bad*................smacking is one thing. Starving is another.



"-L." wrote in message
m...
: "Magic Mood Jeep©" wrote in message
news:WVozb.411790$Fm2.418263@attbi_s04...
: http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html
:
: Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
: Animal Shelter Workers Stunned By Neglect Case
: POSTED: 10:08 a.m. EST December 3, 2003
: RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Officials at Jasper County's animal shelter were
: reviewing pet adoption procedures after authorities removed nearly 50
dead
: cats from the garage of a woman who offered to help find new homes for
: animals.
: "We love these animals," shelter employee Karen Adams said Tuesday. "We
: thought we were doing a favor by letting them go with her, never
dreaming
: ... we thought we were saving lives."
:
: This is a big wake-up call for anyone who places animals in foster
: homes. Do home inspections!
:
: I once worked (at a vet) with a woman who did rescue, and had all
: sorts of animals - rabbits, turtles, dogs, cats - supposedly her house
: was a *wreck* and the animals weren't as well kept as they shpuld have
: been. She was the meanest b!tch I have ever met - smacked cats and was
: just abusive. I wouldn't let her take care of an amoeba.
:
: -L.

This woman deserves the same fate she put those cats through.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Magic Mood Jeep©" wrote in message
news:WVozb.411790$Fm2.418263@attbi_s04...
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html

Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
Animal Shelter Workers Stunned By Neglect Case
POSTED: 10:08 a.m. EST December 3, 2003
RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Officials at Jasper County's animal shelter were
reviewing pet adoption procedures after authorities removed nearly 50 dead
cats from the garage of a woman who offered to help find new homes for
animals.
"We love these animals," shelter employee Karen Adams said Tuesday. "We
thought we were doing a favor by letting them go with her, never dreaming
... we thought we were saving lives."
Prosecutors in LaPorte County charged Kathy Shotsberger, 45, of Michigan
City, with seven counts of animal neglect. She was released Monday on $300
bond. She could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on each
count if convicted.
The Associated Press was unable to contact Shotsberger for comment
Wednesday. There was no number under her name in published listings for
Michigan City, and she was believed to be staying with her mother in
Chicago.
Police arrested Shotsberger on Sunday after officers found cages full of
dead cats, birds and rabbits stacked throughout her garage. In a nearby
modular home officers found 29 live animals, mostly beagles, inside cages
or
locked in rooms with floors soaked in waste.
Some of the cages had been loaned to Shotsberger by workers at the Jasper
County shelter in Rensselaer.
Director Paula Wilcox said Shotsberger first took four dogs and 21 cats
from
the shelter in April 2002 with the understanding that she would find new
owners for the animals. She last visited the shelter on Nov. 20, when she
was allowed to leave with six cats. She was not charged a fee.
"It's hard to believe what happened," said Wilcox, one of two workers at
the
northwest Indiana shelter. "We didn't suspect anything. Kathy had been
here
many times."
Adams said Shotsberger returned to the shelter frequently, bringing orders
for specific animals she said she could place with families in her area.
Authorities said it appeared Shotsberger was taking the animals home and
leaving them in cages without food or water. Police said she apparently
became overwhelmed by the number of animals in her care.
Wilcox said she and Adams may begin checking with other animal shelters
and
police to see if they had received any complaints before releasing animals
to rescue groups. But with a staff of two and one animal control officer,
such procedures could be time-consuming.
Shotsberger also adopted two beagles from the Porter County animal shelter
on separate occasions about three years ago, said Sandy Ogle, its
director.
"That's the only contact we had with her," she said.

--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
http://www.geocities.com/the_magic_mood_jeep/
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep

"Gizela" u wrote in message ...
Some people should be shot.

I don't have a *major* problem with people not liing animals, we all have
our tastes....but why do this to the poor little defenceless things?

GRRRRR

They do it because they are mentally ill. I believe the term used is
"collector's syndrome" and it's a form of obsessive/compulsive
disorder. These people compulsively collect animals until they are
overwhelmed and they are in denial with respect to the conditions they
create for the animals. This sort of thing happens unfortunately on a
regular basis. I read an article about this problem within the past
few weeks somewhere and if I can find where it is I will post it. It
is really a sad situation and AFAIR from the article these people will
even repeat the behaviour after they are caught and punished. It is
difficult to stop them at least the first time before things get out
of hand since law enforcement can't go into someone's home without
cause and by the time outsiders can see that something is wrong the
conditions for the animals are often abysmal as in this case.

I seem to remember reading that at least some shelter personnel keep
an eye out for people who are repeatedly trying to adopt additional
animals or take them off the shelter's hands on some pretext because
they know that these type of people are out there and they are very
persistent.




Angela and Gizmo
"Magic Mood Jeep©" wrote in message
news:WVozb.411790$Fm2.418263@attbi_s04...
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/2678796/detail.html

Dozens Of Dead Cats Removed From Woman's Garage
Animal Shelter Workers Stunned By Neglect Case
POSTED: 10:08 a.m. EST December 3, 2003
RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Officials at Jasper County's animal shelter were
reviewing pet adoption procedures after authorities removed nearly 50 dead
cats from the garage of a woman who offered to help find new homes for
animals.
"We love these animals," shelter employee Karen Adams said Tuesday. "We
thought we were doing a favor by letting them go with her, never dreaming
... we thought we were saving lives."
Prosecutors in LaPorte County charged Kathy Shotsberger, 45, of Michigan
City, with seven counts of animal neglect. She was released Monday on $300
bond. She could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine on each
count if convicted.
The Associated Press was unable to contact Shotsberger for comment
Wednesday. There was no number under her name in published listings for
Michigan City, and she was believed to be staying with her mother in
Chicago.
Police arrested Shotsberger on Sunday after officers found cages full of
dead cats, birds and rabbits stacked throughout her garage. In a nearby
modular home officers found 29 live animals, mostly beagles, inside cages
or
locked in rooms with floors soaked in waste.
Some of the cages had been loaned to Shotsberger by workers at the Jasper
County shelter in Rensselaer.
Director Paula Wilcox said Shotsberger first took four dogs and 21 cats
from
the shelter in April 2002 with the understanding that she would find new
owners for the animals. She last visited the shelter on Nov. 20, when she
was allowed to leave with six cats. She was not charged a fee.
"It's hard to believe what happened," said Wilcox, one of two workers at
the
northwest Indiana shelter. "We didn't suspect anything. Kathy had been
here
many times."
Adams said Shotsberger returned to the shelter frequently, bringing orders
for specific animals she said she could place with families in her area.
Authorities said it appeared Shotsberger was taking the animals home and
leaving them in cages without food or water. Police said she apparently
became overwhelmed by the number of animals in her care.
Wilcox said she and Adams may begin checking with other animal shelters
and
police to see if they had received any complaints before releasing animals
to rescue groups. But with a staff of two and one animal control officer,
such procedures could be time-consuming.
Shotsberger also adopted two beagles from the Porter County animal shelter
on separate occasions about three years ago, said Sandy Ogle, its
director.
"That's the only contact we had with her," she said.

--
The ONE and ONLY
lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy
former-blonde
in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)©
http://www.geocities.com/the_magic_mood_jeep/
http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep