Groton cat lady charged with cruelty

Groton (WTNH) - A woman dedicated to helping animals is in the hot seat after dozens of cats are seized from her home.

Rebel S. Foular, 51, has been arrested and charged with six counts of cruelty to animals.

Police seized 47 cats from her North Road mobile home on August 4.

Neighbors say for years they have dealt with cats coming from the home along with an odor which had become unbearable.

They say the owner of the home actually slept on the porch and the cats have the run of the house.

Foular was an animal care worker at the Connecticut Humane Society in Waterford and is now temporarily suspended with pay pending the investigation.

Foular was released on $1,000 bond and is due in court on Sept. 18..." More

The victims of animal hoarding

In Groton today, 50 cats were seized from a single-unit trailer, according to reports by The Day newspaper. The story, a sadly familiar one, is a classic example of animal hoarding.

Animal hoarding, also referred to as collecting, is characterized by people who keep many animals and do not care for them. Cases range from animals living without veterinary care to living in filthy, disease-ridden conditions. Some die right in these environments.

n this particular case in Groton, the couple had given up animals in 2007 after the same complaints. According to the animal control officer quoted by The Day, the cats would be looked at by a vet to determine if cruelty charges would be handed down.

According to www.pet-abuse.com, "hoarders may feel that they 'love' animals, but they can be blind to the fact that they are not caring for them responsibly even in the face of starvation and death. Hoarders are usually unable to bear the thought of euthanasia, but vast numbers of animals are 'saved' only to languish in a squalid, crowded environment where they suffer from malnourishment, illness, inactivity, poor ventilation, and lack of human companionship."..." More

Police seize nearly 50 cats from home

• Story by: Tina Detelj

Groton (WTNH) - A woman dedicated to helping animals is in the hot seat after dozens of cats are seized from her home.

Right now no charges have been filed against the Groton woman. Last night police seized 47 cats from her North Road mobile home and they say there are still about a dozen left inside which they will be coming for later.

Neighbors say for years they have dealt with cats coming from the home along with an odor which has gotten unbearable.

They say the owner of the home actually sleeps on the porch and the cats have the run of the house..." More & video